LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the first time in UNC Pembroke softball history, a Brave has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player of the Week, as senior Abbey Walters has been tabbed with the prestigious award, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
“Abbey is a tremendous player,” UNCP head coach Brittany Bennett said. “She’s always been a great player, but I think right now she’s more comfortable in the box than ever before.”
Walters put together a 13-for-17 (.765) performance at the dish in six games during the week of Feb. 6 to Feb. 12 and tossed her second-career no-hitter in the circle.
“Abbey is the type of player that you can always count on to do her job,” Bennett added. “She puts the team before her individual accomplishments and that’s what makes her so special.”
The Bladenboro native racked up nine-extra base hits in six games this week, including six doubles and a trio of home runs. She drove in 10 runs and scored 12 of her own, while stealing five bases and drawing two walks. Walters slugged 1.647 percent and compiled a .762 on-base percentage. In a Feb. 9 win over Queens, the senior hit a school record three home runs, drove in five and scored four runs.
In the circle, Walters made three starts with none better than her near perfect game against Barton. She struck out seven Bulldogs and allowed just one walk in her second no-hitter in as many seasons. In 10.1 innings of work this week, Walters allowed just three earned runs (2.03 ERA), while striking out 12 and holding opponents to a .179 batting average.
Walters now leads the Peach Belt Conference in runs (16), home runs (5), and runs batted in (17), while ranking in the league’s top five in batting average (.545), hits (18), total bases (39) doubles (6), stolen bases (8), on-base percentage (.590) and slugging percentage (1.182). Her numbers as a pitcher are just as impressive, as she ranks second in wins (4) and shutouts (2), fifth in complete games (3), seventh in strikeouts (23) and earned run average (1.24) and eighth in innings pitched (28.1).
“I’m excited for Abbey to see the rewards of her hard work on the national stage,” Bennett continued. “This is exciting for not only Abbey, but also our team and UNC Pembroke as a whole.”
Walters and the Braves are back in action Sunday against Elizabeth City State at LRA Field in Pembroke. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for noon.
