Lenoir-Rhyne’s Katelyn Rackard was selected as the South Atlantic Conference Varsity Gems Softball Player of the Week, while Newberry’s Olivia Chestnut was named the SAC Varsity Gems Softball Pitcher of the Week for games played during Week 9 of the 2023 season, the conference office announced Tuesday. 

Rackard, a sophomore from Lexington, North Carolina, had four straight multi-hit games, including a pair of three-hit games against UVA Wise. 

She hit .769 this week, with three homeruns, and added six runs scored and six RBIs.

Chestnut, a junior from Mount Dora, Florida, posted two complete-game victories in two starts. 

In the 13 total innings she pitched, Chestnut gave up five hits and had 19 strike outs. 

She had 14 strike outs in a 3-2 extra-inning win against Mars Hill and gave up two earned runs. 

Chestnut had an ERA of 1.08 on the week. 

Chestnut Earns SAC Varsity Gems Pitcher of the Weekhttps://t.co/aqrDkcTlSf

— Newberry Wolves (@NewberrySports) April 4, 2023

2023 SAC Varsity Gems Softball Players Of The Week

Player of the Week

Feb. 7 – Kayson Boatner, Anderson
Feb. 14 – McKenzie Henry, Lincoln Memorial
Feb. 21 – Savanna Balderston, Catawba
Feb. 28 – Chloe Freischmidt, Tusculum
March 7 – Hannah Reeves, Wingate
March 14 – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
March 21 – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
March 28 – Savanna Brooks, Wingate
April 4 – Katelyn Rackard, Lenoir-Rhyne

Pitcher of the Week

Feb. 7 – Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne
Feb. 14 – Syerra Rogers, Carson-Newman
Feb. 21 – Jenae Fedewa, Coker
Feb. 28 – Raechel Cutcher, Wingate
March 7 – Alyssa Poston, Mars Hill
March 14 – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
March 21 – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
March 28 – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
April 4 – Olivia Chestnut, Newberry

Varsity Gems is an official corporate partner of the South Atlantic Conference and title sponsor of the SAC Player of the Week awards program.