LATHAM, N.Y. - The 25th Week of the United East Athletes of the Week introduces softball to the mix while also distributing awards in the lacrosses and baseball. Susan Duncan from Penn State Berks was named the softball Player of the Week while Gallaudet University’s Christina Elsbury was tabbed the Pitcher of the Week.
In baseball, Penn State Harrisburg swept the weekly awards as Danny Eden was named the Pitcher of the Week and Maddux Ryan the Player of the Week.
Over on the lacrosse field, James Cella from Penn College earned men’s lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week honors while St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Aiden Doyle got the nod on the Offensive side of things.
ROunding out the first part of the weekly awards were a pair of women’s lacrosse players. Lindsey Weaver from Lancaster Bible College was named the Offensive Player of the Week while Colin Horton from St. Mary’s College was named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Read about all eight players HERE:
Softball Player of the Week
Susan Duncan
Penn State Berks | Senior | Outfield
Ducan kicked off the 2023 season with a bang as her offense helped propel last year’s United East Champs to a 2-0 record. The senior went 2-for-4 in the opener against Thomas, crushing a two-run home run in the top of the fifth. She then bettered herself in the second game against Mount Mary as she went 3-for-4 with another home run and a double. The outfielder finished the day slashing .625/.625/1.500.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Christina Elsbury
Gallaudet University | Freshman | Pitcher
Elsbury played a key role from the circle in all four of the Bison’s games over the weekend, helping her squad go 3-1 on the week. In the season-opening win against Wilson College, she’d toss a complete game win, striking out three in the process. The next day, Elsbury came in for the final inning of relief in game one against Notre Dame (Md.), earning the save and a strikeout. She then took the circle for the full 7.0 in game two against the Gators, allowing just a single earned run in another victory. Elsbury also picked up six hits and five RBI on the offensive side of things.
Baseball Player of the Week
Maddux Ryan
Penn State Harrisburg | Senior | Outfield
Ryan was a menace from the plate in the team’s one completed game over the weekend, helping Harrisburg upset No. 16 Arcadia University. The senior went a perfect 3-for-3 from the dish, driving in five runners. Ryan also accrued two walks while crossing the plate himself twice. In the field, the first basemen had eight putouts.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Danny Eden
Penn State Harrisburg | Sophomore | Pitcher
Eden was a stud on the bump for Harrisburg, earning the victory over nationally-ranked Arcadia on Sunday. The sophomore tossed the first 5.0 innings, allowing just two unearned runs. Over his time on the mound, Eden allowed just two hits while racking up six strikeouts. The southpaw held his opponents to a combined batting average of just .118.
Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Aiden Doyle
St. Mary’s College of Maryland | Sophomore | Attack
Doyle was an offensive machine as he helped his Seahawks to a 2-0 record on the week. In the opening win over Marymount, Doyle scored six times while assisting on a pair of his teammate’s goals. He backed that effort with a four goal, one assist performance in the win over Shenandoah over the weekend.
Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
James Cella
Penn College | Sophomore | Goalie
For the second time this season Cella’s performance between the pipes has earned him Defensive Player of the Week honors. The sophomore began the week with a 12-save win over Juniata University, allowing just four goals. He backed that up with a 12-11 win over Drew University in which the netminder stopped a season-high 20 shots. Cella also picked up a trio of groundballs.
Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Colin Horton
St. Mary’s College of Maryland | Sophomore | Midfield
After earning Offensive Player of the Week honors in the opening week, Horton displayed her defensive prowess as she helped her squad defeat Randolph-Macon College. The sophomore was quick on the 50-50 balls as she finished the day with a career-best three groundballs. Horton added a caused turnover as well. Acting on both sides of the field as a midfielder, Horton also notched four goals in the victory.
Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Lindsey Weaver
Lancaster Bible College | Sophomore | Attack
Weaver was instrumental in the Chargers game against Alliance on Friday as she helped her squad capture its first win of the season, 12-5. The sophomore found the back of the net a career-high four times, while adding two assists as well. Weaver helped on the restart too as she finished the day with eight draw controls and a pair of groundballs.
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The United East has nine NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Gallaudet University, Lancaster Bible College, Morrisville State, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Wells College. The United East also includes three associate members in the sport of men’s golf including Clarks Summit University, Rosemont College, Rutgers University – Camden and Wilson College. Clarks Summit University is also an associate member in the sport of men’s tennis. The United East has also partnered with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in the sports of men's and women's lacrosse. For more information, please visit: gounitedeast.com