Malone University sophomore catcher Bailey Byers was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Softball Player of the Week on Monday following an outstanding performance in six games last week. The award is the second of the season for Byers, who also earned G-MAC Player of the Week accolades on March 11th.
 
Byers, a native of Alliance, Ohio and a West Branch High School graduate, led Malone to a 4-2 record last week, including a doubleheader sweep of rival Walsh on Saturday. In six games, Byers batted .522 with 12 hits in 23 at-bats, including four doubles and two homeruns. She scored three runs and drove in four more.
 
The power-hitting righty began the week on Monday at first-place Ohio Dominican where she doubled twice and homered in the second game of a doubleheader. Then in two games Tuesday at Ohio Valley, Byers went 4-for-8 with two doubles and another homer. On Saturday, Byers went 5-for-8 against Walsh, matching a career-high with four hits in the opener and driving in a run in each game.
 
On the season, Byers is hitting a remarkable .465 with 28 extra-base hits, including 13 homers, and 37 RBI. She finished the regular season ranked second in the G-MAC in batting average, homeruns, and slugging percentage (.913).
 
With the two victories on Saturday, Malone improved to 21-15 on the year – its first 20-win season since 2002 – and 13-11 in the G-MAC. The Pioneers earned a postseason berth in the G-MAC Tournament, finishing with the number six seed. They will meet Tiffin in the opening game of the Tournament on Thursday, May 2nd at 12:00 pm at Walsh.