Malone University sophomore catcher Bailey Byers was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's Softball Player of the Week on Monday after putting together a fantastic performance at the plate during the team's spring break trip in Orlando, Florida.
 
Byers, from Alliance, Ohio (West Branch H.S.) batted .483 (14-of-29) last week with six homeruns, 16 RBIs and 10 runs scored. She added a double and a triple at the dish as well as a stolen base on the basepaths. Her slugging percentage was an impressive 1.207.
 
In NCAA Division II, Byers currently ranks tied for first in runs batted in per game (2.0), second in homeruns per game (.60) and fourth in slugging percentage (1.135).
 
On the final day of the team's spring break trip, Byers hit two homeruns against Franklin Pierce University in a 7-4 victory. She added another round tripper versus Concordia College in the second game of a doubleheader. She totaled seven RBIs and three homers on the day. The team comes home to Canton with a 6-4 record.
 
The Pioneers are scheduled to host the Lake Erie College Storm in their home opener at Pioneer Softball Field on Friday, March 15th, followed by a Saturday doubleheader against the Ursuline College Arrows. First pitch for Friday's game is 3 pm and Saturday's games will begin at 1 pm.