ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced its Player of the Week award winners Tuesday in the sports of baseball and softball for the week of April 29 – May 5, 2024. The UMAC Player of the Week awards are nominated by UMAC coaches and athletics communications/sports information staff and selected each week by the latter group.
 
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aidan Russell, Junior, Bethany Lutheran College
Gilbert, Ariz. / Campo Verde
- Russell hit and reached base safely in all three of Bethany's contests this weekend.
- He went 6-for-13 on the week with seven RBI, two home runs, and a double.
- His week was highlighted on Friday when he went 4-for-5 with 6 RBI and a pair of home runs in a win over Superior.
- His only out in the contest was a misplayed ball in the outfield that cleared the bases as he helped account for 10 of Bethany's 17 runs in the contest.
 
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Mary Landherr, Sophomore, University of Minnesota Morris
Wyoming, Minn. / Forest Lake Area
- Landherr batted .579 (11-of-19) in six games last week for Minnesota Morris.
- The sophomore collected three doubles, eight runs, and eight RBIs.
- She also drew three walks for a .636 on-base percentage.
                                                  
BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Nick Julian, Freshman, North Central University
Trophy Club, Texas / Byron Nelson
- Julian had a stellar final week on the mound.
- The freshman totaled 25 strikeouts with just four hits and zero runs allowed in 11.2 innings pitched.
 
SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Maddie Bottineau, Junior, University of Northwestern
Andover, Minn. / Andover
- Bottineau pitched 8.1 innings this week and did not allow a run.
- On Saturday, she threw the 7th no hitter in UNW Softball history.
- She went 5 innings, gave up no hits, no runs, and struck out 4 against Crown.
- Picked up 7 strikeouts on the week. Had a record of 1-0 on the week.