Ball State University Athletics
Softball’s Stacy Payton Named MAC Player of the Week
February 25, 2020 | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - For her part in helping guide the Ball State softball team to the Hilltopper Classic championship, Ball State junior infielder/catcher Stacy Payton (Brazil, Ind./Northview) has been named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week.
"Stacy had a standout weekend in some excellent team wins," head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "She works exceptionally hard and the results are following in kind. The coolest part about coaching Stacy is that she has the ability to spark a high level of play in those around her. Her teammates love her."
Payton, who earns the honor for the first time this season and the second time in her career, shares the award with Miami's Jada Dotson.
In helped guide the Cardinals to a perfect 5-0 record last week, Payton led the Ball State offense with 12 RBI and a 1.000 slugging percentage, while also producing a .412 (7-for-17) batting average. She reached base safely in all five games, scored at least one run in four, while collecting at least two RBI in three.
Payton scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the weekend opener versus Green Bay (Feb. 21) after walking to reach base in the bottom of the first inning. She followed by blasting a pair of home runs, including her second career grand slam, in Friday night's win over Indiana State (Feb. 21) to account for six of the team's 10 runs.
In Saturday's win over Green Bay (Feb. 22), Payton smashed a two-run double in the third and followed with a two-run single in the fourth. In Sunday's championship game win over Indiana State (Feb. 23), she helped the Cardinals rally from down four in the bottom of the seventh inning with a two-run home run to open the scoring in BSU's six-run rally.
Payton and the Ball State softball team return to action Friday, when they kick off the program's 12-game, 10-day spring break trip to Florida at the UCF Invitational with games versus Drexel (9:30 a.m.) and Longwood (11:30 a.m.).
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSB.
"Stacy had a standout weekend in some excellent team wins," head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "She works exceptionally hard and the results are following in kind. The coolest part about coaching Stacy is that she has the ability to spark a high level of play in those around her. Her teammates love her."
Payton, who earns the honor for the first time this season and the second time in her career, shares the award with Miami's Jada Dotson.
In helped guide the Cardinals to a perfect 5-0 record last week, Payton led the Ball State offense with 12 RBI and a 1.000 slugging percentage, while also producing a .412 (7-for-17) batting average. She reached base safely in all five games, scored at least one run in four, while collecting at least two RBI in three.
Payton scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the weekend opener versus Green Bay (Feb. 21) after walking to reach base in the bottom of the first inning. She followed by blasting a pair of home runs, including her second career grand slam, in Friday night's win over Indiana State (Feb. 21) to account for six of the team's 10 runs.
In Saturday's win over Green Bay (Feb. 22), Payton smashed a two-run double in the third and followed with a two-run single in the fourth. In Sunday's championship game win over Indiana State (Feb. 23), she helped the Cardinals rally from down four in the bottom of the seventh inning with a two-run home run to open the scoring in BSU's six-run rally.
Payton and the Ball State softball team return to action Friday, when they kick off the program's 12-game, 10-day spring break trip to Florida at the UCF Invitational with games versus Drexel (9:30 a.m.) and Longwood (11:30 a.m.).
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSB.
Players Mentioned
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