Several members of the Lawrence softball team have recorded great performances only midway through this young season. Freshman pitcher Emily Perish was named Midwest Conference pitcher of the week last week for her outstanding performances in her appearances during the week. Perish pitched almost 14 innings, while having an ERA of only .51 and a .143 batting average against her. She recorded her first collegiate shutout against Beloit, allowing only three hits, while striking out three batters. The same Beloit team won a game later in the week 60-0.
Another standout player for the Vikings so far this year has been sophomore Carli Gurholt. Gurholt has already tied Lawrence’s record for home runs in a season with seven. She tied the record in the opening game of the Vikings’ previous doubleheader against Finlandia. Her home run carried Lawrence to the 5-3 victory as well. Gurholt has a slugging percentage of .898, and leads the team with 24 runs batted in.
The team opened the season with a four game losing streak in Florida to some very good teams, but since then has been playing .500 ball. They have a record of 6-10, and have won four of their past six games. The Vikings play games against St. Norbert and UW-Whitewater this week before heading to Janesville, Wis. for the Midwest Conference Classic where they will play three games Saturday and two Sunday against conference opponents. They look to continue their solid play and have their sights set on the conference tournament at the beginning of May.