GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Madonna University teammates Christina Finch and Jess Irwin have been named the WHAC softball Player and Pitcher of the Week respectively for April 14, 2008.

Finch, a senior, hit .455 this week in helping the Crusaders to a 5-1 record. Finch's week included her first home run of the season in a 9-1 win over WHAC co-leader Indiana Tech. For the week, Finch went 5-for-11 at the plate with a double, home run and three RBIs and slugged at a .818 clip.

Irwin, a freshman, went 3-0 in the circle with a save in four appearances for Madonna. Irwin started the week with a two-hit shut out of Rochester College, striking out 11 Warriors in a complete game effort. She then earned the save in game two of that double header, striking out the only two hitters she faced. Irwin came back on Friday, holding WHAC co-leader Indiana Tech to just two hits while fanning six in a complete game win. She closed her week with eight strikeouts over seven innings in a win over Concordia. For the week, Irwin was 3-0 with just two unearned runs allowed over 19-and-two-thirds innings of work and 27 strikeouts against just two walks. 

NOTABLE SOFTBALL PLAYER PERFORMANCES
ASHLEY ASPINALL (AQUINAS): Hit .714 (5-for-7) with a double, homer and three RBIs in two games.
MELANIE CREAGER (CORNERSTONE): Hit .333 (6-for-18) with two homers and three RBIs in six games.
KOLBE VALENZUELA (CONCORDIA): Hit .353 with three doubles and two RBIs in seven games.
MARIAH WELKE (SIENA HEIGHTS): Hit .231 (3-for-13) with a double, homer and four RBIs in five games.
JESSICA WILLIAMS (INDIANA TECH): Hit .636 (7-for-11) with two doubles and four RBIs in four games.