New Kensington Softball Shines While Baseball Players of the Week Spread Among Three Teams

See who performed at their best this past week with our Players of the Week! Here are your Players of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 5, 2026.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Penn State New Kensington Softball

The Penn State New Kensington Softball had an impressive 6-2 performance this week, with the victories highlighted by an offensive surge that included seven home runs. On the mound, New Kensington pitchers recorded 38 strikeouts — continuing to set the tone as one of the top pitching units in the conference as they improved to 5-1 in conference play.

SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK 5

Brookelyn Kotch, Penn State New Kensington 

Second Year

North Huntington, Pa.

Right-handed pitcher Brookelyn Kotch compiled a 0.79 ERA during 17.2 innings of work across four games during the week. She tossed two complete games, went 2-1 and earned her third save of the season. Kotch allowed only two earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out 10 and walked four.

SOFTBALL HITTER OF THE WEEK 5

Linda Shepard, Penn State New Kensington

Third Year

Harmonsburg, Pa.

Linda Shepard enjoyed a major week of milestones, recording both her 100^th hit and her 100^th strikeout as a pitcher this week. At the plate, Shepard smacked four home runs and scored 13 runs — the most productive week across the PSUAC. She also had six stolen bases in the seven games she played during the week while also driving in 13.

BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK 5

Nate Evans, Penn State Shenango 

Fourth Year

Holiday, Fla.

Right-handed pitcher Nate Evans led his team in a marathon game for Penn State Shenango against Penn State Beaver. Evans went seven innings and recorded 11 strikeouts while allowing just one run on four hits. Penn State Shenango won, 2-1. For the season, Evans has 26 strikeouts in 23 innings.

BASEBALL HITTER OF THE WEEK 5

James Sibert, Penn State Mont Alto

Fourth Year

Strasburg, Va.

Penn State Mont Alto's James Sibert was electric at the plate last week, cracking 11 hits in eight games, including three homers. Sibert collected seven extra base hits while driving in 12. Sibert scored 10 times himself, and reached base in 17 of his 30 plate appearances as Mont Alto went 6-2. Sibert was also perfect in the field on 14 total chances. 

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Malhar Shelke, Penn State Greater Allegheny

First Year

Cary, N.C.

Right-handed pitcher Malhar Shelke tossed a seven-inning complete game and got the victory in the first game of a doubleheader against Wright State Lake Campus. Shelke fanned seven batters — more than double his season total entering the game. His performance helped lead Greater Allegheny to a sweep of the doubleheader as it extended a 10-game win streak.