General | 4/15/2024 12:57:44 PM
Below are the Empire 8 Players of the Week, released on April 15, 2024, for games played from April 8 – April 14, 2024. It is the 32nd Empire 8 weekly honors release of the 2023-24 season. Sports featured include baseball, softball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s tennis, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field and men’s volleyball.
BASEBALL
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Jason Story, Utica, Sr., OF, Hilton, NY/Hilton
Story had at least one hit in each of Utica's four games this past week while going 8-for-15 (.533) in all with four home runs, a triple, eight runs scored and 10 RBI. In the team's win over Alfred on Monday he went 1-for-3 with a triple, two walks, an RBI and three runs scored. He belted his sixth home run of the year on Wednesday against SUNY Poly before combining for three more in Sunday's doubleheader against Sage. In game one, Story went 4-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. In game two he hit his ninth home run of the season and his third of the day as part of his 1-for-3, two RBI game. Story slugged 1.467 and enjoyed a 2.078 OPS.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK – Matthew Denatale, Russell Sage, Gr., P, Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck
Denatale kept the high-scoring Utica offense in check on Sunday, allowing just four hits and one run over eight innings in Russell Sage’s 10-3 win over the Pioneers on Sunday. Denatale struck out five batters over the eight-inning outing.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK – Jacob Scalise, Utica, Fr., C, Utica, NY/Whitesboro
Scalise had at least one hit in each of Utica's four games this week, going 8-for-17 (.471 batting average) with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. Against Alfred on Monday, he went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. He followed that up with two hits against SUNY Poly on Wednesday while having one in each game against Russell Sage on Sunday. Overall, Scalise recorded a 1.059 OPS on the week.
SOFTBALL
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Mya Wells, Alfred, Sr., C/1B, San Ramon, CA/California
Wells put together a strong week, going 8-for-13 this past for a .615 batting average in addition to 1.154 slugging percentage and 1.769 OPS in four games. Against Ithaca on Tuesday, Wells was 4-for-6 with three doubles, a home run and three RBI. Wells crossed home plate on three occasions for AU as part of an 11-0 victory in the second game of a double-header. Against Penn State Behrend, Wells was 4-for-7, breaking the program record with her 44th career double in in game one. Wells added an RBI for the Saxons as part of a 5-2 victory against the Panthers.
CO-PITCHER OF THE WEEK – Kylie Murray, Utica, Jr., P, Eastchester, NY/Eastchester
Murray dazzled in her lone outing of the week which resulted in a 10-0 Utica win over Nazareth on Saturday night. Murray carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the game before surrendering it with one out. She also had a perfect game going into the bottom of the fourth. In earning her fourth win of the year, Murray tossed a complete game shutout while facing just two over the minimum by way of a walk and base hit. She also struck out six in the victory.
CO-PITCHER OF THE WEEK – Cassidy Ormond, St. John Fisher, Jr., P, Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse
Ormond earned a pair complete-game wins during week, scattering 12 hits, while allowing just one earned run and one walk with 10 strikeouts over 12 innings for the Cardinals. On Tuesday, she fired a complete-game six-hitter, needing just 82 pitches while striking out five batters in a 2-1 win over Buffalo State. She followed that up by striking out five batters and allowing just an unearned run in a 10-0 win over Russell Sage Saturday.
MEN’S GOLF
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Benjamin Fox, St. John Fisher, So., Saugerties, NY/Saugerties
Fox earned individual medalist honors as the 2023-24 Empire 8 Men’s Golf Championship wrapped up this weekend at Hershey Country Club in Hershey, PA. Fox carded a round of 80 in windy conditions Saturday and fired a four-over-par 75 on Sunday to help lead St. John Fisher to its 19th Empire 8 Men’s Golf Championship in program history. Fox, the 2022-23 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, carded a 309 over the two fall rounds and two spring rounds to win the E8 individual title by six strokes.
MEN’S LACROSSE
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Nate Kettle, Russell Sage, So., A, Killbuck, NY/Salamanca
Kettle continued his strong play by tallying eight points on six goals and two assists in Russell Sage’s 16-7 win over E8 foe Utica University on Saturday. He scored the six goals on just seven shots on goal and added four ground balls. Kettle’ who scored three times in the first half, tallied three straight goals within a span of 4:34 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach for the Gators. It is Kettle’s third E8 weekly honor of the season.
GOALIE OF THE WEEK – Ben Hammond, St. John Fisher, Sr., G, Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius
Hammond made eight saves and allowed just four goals in Friday’s 12-4 Empire 8 win over fellow East Ave. foe Nazareth University. Hammond and St. John Fisher defense held Nazareth scoreless over 25 minutes of game action, as the Cardinals scored eight straight goals over that span to put the game away. It is Hammond’s third E8 weekly honor of 2024.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Sydney Carpenter, St. John Fisher, Jr., A, Rochester, NY/Hilton
Carpenter recorded 12 points this week on eight goals and four assists in a pair of games this week. She also recorded nine groundballs, caused two turnovers, and had eight draw controls. Carpenter had five points and four draw controls against SUNY Geneseo Tuesday and recorded seven points on five goals and two assists to go along with six ground balls and four draw controls in a decisive 18-3 win over E8 foe Utica. It is Carpenter’s second E8 weekly accolade of the season.
CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Katrina Marten, Hartwick, Jr., A, Middlesex, NY/Marcus Whitman
Marten continues to orchestrate the Hawk offense, notching two goals and 10 assists as well as five caused turnovers and four ground balls in two conference wins. Katrina posted one goal and three assists in the 19-8 win over Russell Sage on Wednesday, adding three caused turnovers. Marten picked up one goal and seven assists in the shutout win over Keuka on Saturday, registering her 100th career assist and becoming the second player in program history to register 100 assists.
GOALIE OF THE WEEK – Allie Klestinec, Nazareth, So., G, Geneva, NY/Geneva
Klestinec helped Nazareth to a 15-5 win with seven saves (.700 save percentage) in just over three quarters of action in a 15-5 win over Alfred on Wednesday. She also had five ground balls. It is her second E8 weekly honor of the year.
MEN’S TENNIS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Micah Schilke, Houghton, Gr., Houghton, NY/Fillmore Central
Micah Schilke remained unbeaten in Empire 8 Conference play with two more victories in first singles action (6-0, 6-0 over Alfred and 6-2, 6-2 against St. John Fisher) while also grabbing two wins in second doubles (8-4 vs. the Saxons and 8-2 vs. the Cardinals). Schilke's efforts helped his Highlander squad claim their 40th consecutive conference win.
MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Cade Eells, Nazareth, Jr., Distance, Ithaca, NY/Ithaca
Eells recorded a time of 9:23.59 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Bison Outdoor Classic, hosted by Bucknell University on Friday. Racing primarily versus Division I and II student-athletes, Eells had the third best time among Division III runners, which moved him up to 34th nationally in the event this season.
FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Antwan Kelly, Utica, Gr., Throws, Liverpool, NY/Liverpool
Kelly broke his own school record in the hammer throw with a toss of 53.11 meters at the Jerry Gravel Classic which secured the victory this past weekend. He now has the 49th best throw in Division III this season.
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Olivia Gilbert, Alfred, Sr., Middle Distance, Ontario, NY/Wayne
Gilbert placed herself back into the Alfred record books this past week, competing in the 800-meter run at the Bison Outdoor Classic. Gilbert finished the event with a time of 2:17.63, which topped her previous program record that she recorded during the 2023 season (2:18.24). Gilbert now owns three separate track & field records with Alfred University between the indoor and outdoor seasons.
CO-FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Allie Cary, Utica, Fr., Throws, Liverpool, NY/Liverpool
Cary broke her own school record in the discus throw, throwing 42.41 meters at the Jerry Gravel Classic this past weekend. The first-year standout has now broken the school record in two-straight appearances and holds the 27th best throw in Division III this season.
CO-FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Anne Spila, Alfred, Jr., Multi-Events, Mechanicsburg, PA/Trinity
Spila continued her impressive outdoor season, placing second in the women’s heptathlon at Messiah University, with a score of 4,068 points, which moved her into 24th nationally this season. Spila recorded 654 points after claiming victory in the women’s long jump with 5.34 meters. Spila added an additional 429 points to her score from the women’s javelin throw, placing third with 27.50 meters. Spila rounded out the heptathlon with top-five finishes in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200-meter dash.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Owen Wickens, Nazareth, Sr., OH/L, Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit
Wickens was named to the UVC Championship All-Tournament Team after leading Nazareth to the semifinals and helping the Golden Flyers pick up their first postseason win since 2016. Wickens had 27 kills, 12 digs and four service aces for Nazareth to earn his second UVC All-Tournament Team honor (2021). He excelled in Friday night’s sweep over rival St. John Fisher, slamming 19 kills to go along with four digs and three service aces in the win. It is Wickens’ fourth E8 weekly honor of 2024.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube –
Facebook –
Twitter –
Instagram