Brusly’s Clark, West Monroe’s Nichols Tabbed Softball Players of the Week

by Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Owner

LAKE CHARLES – Brusly’s Laila Clark and West Monroe’s Maddie Nichols have been named the GeauxPreps.com/LSCA Players of the Week for games played March 22-27.

The GeauxPreps.com/LSCA Players of the Week awards are announced each Monday following the collection of nominations from Louisiana Softball Coaches Association head coaching members. A hitter and a pitcher are selected from the list of nominees by a selection committee.

Coaches interested in joining the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association can find more information by visiting LaSoftball.net.

Player of the Week

Laila Clark, Brusly

Clark was so impressive at the plate all week that teams were intentionally walking the freshman hitter. The freshman outfielder hit an eye-popping .647 with three home runs, two doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, 12 runs scored and six stolen bases over five games. Clark went 4-for-5 with four RBI against Cecilia and then two days later batted 3-for-5 and drove in three more runs. She was intentionally walked six times in her next two appearances but still managed to hit a home run and score three runs. She hit another dinger against Class 5A’s Zachary and drove in three runs on three hits.

Pitcher of the Week

Maddie Nichols, West Monroe

Nichols had an incredible week in the circle, going 4-0 with a 0.81 ERA as the Lady Rebels won all five of their games that included a win over nationally-ranked St. Amant. In 26.0 innings, Nichols racked up 54 strikeouts, surrendered no walks and had a .108 opponent batting average. She had three complete games but her most impressive performance may have been against the No. 10 ranked team in the country as she limited the St. Amant Lady Gators to just two runs in eight innings of work while striking out 14. In total, Nichols gave up just three earned runs across her five appearances against teams that rank in the Top 20 of the GeauxPreps.com Softball Power Ratings.

2021 GeauxPreps.com/LSCA Players of the Week

March 1 – Player: A’Kili Greene, St. Thomas More; Pitcher: Elise Lamartiniere, West Feliciana

March 8 – Player: Macy Castleman, Fontainebleau; Pitcher: Laney Johnson, North DeSoto

March 15 – Player: Kenzie Vestal, West Monroe; Pitcher: Carina Chargois, Kaplan

March 22 – Player: CaTerra Bates, Academy of Our Lady; Pitcher: Halie Pappion, Barbe

March 29 – Player: Laila Clark, Brusly; Pitcher: Maddie Nichols, West Monroe