Via North Star Athletic Association 

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced its sixth edition of the softball Players-of-the-Week Monday.  Emily Smith of Valley City State (N.D.) was selected as the Pitcher-of-the-Week.  Katelyn Kubitschek of Dickinson State (N.D.) was named as the Player-of-the-Week.

North Star Athletic Association Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week
Emily Smith – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’7″ – Senior – pitcher – Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada – Smith tossed her first career no-hitter, setting a new school record of 51 career wins in Valley City State’s (N.D.) 1-0 victory over Doane (Neb.).  She struck out 14 batters and walked just two in the game.  Smith also pitched an inning in relief in the first game, striking out three straight batters despite a 5-4 setback to the Tigers.

North Star Athletic Association Softball Player-of-the-Week
Katelyn Kubitschek – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 5’6″ – Junior – catcher – Phoenix, Ariz. – Kubitschek collected at least two hits and scored a run each in four games as Dickinson State (N.D.) went 5-0 record for the week.  She was 9-of-15 at the plate (.600 batting average).  Kubitschek also registered a slugging percentage of .800 with three doubles (2 doubles versus Minnesota-Moorhead) and drove in two runs.  She swiped five bases for the week.

The Vikings were receiving v0tes in the latest NAIA poll. Valley City State returns to the diamond on Saturday when they travel to Madison to face Dakota State.