Softball On SI Weekly Awards Highlight Stanford, Michigan State, Belmont and Auburn

Pitcher of the Week: Maya Johnson, Belmont

Belmont's Maya Johnson tossed two seven inning gems to earn two of the Bruins' three wins to start 2026. Headlining the weekend was Johnson's second career perfect game in a 9-0 victory over Missouri State on Friday at the Red and Black Showcase hosted by Georgia. Johnson faced the minimum, throwing 83 pitches and fanned 15.

Just two days later, Johnson was back on the rubber with the same stuff, this time against SEC powerhouse No. 15 Georgia. The lefty held the Bulldogs to one run, scattering eight hits, and struck out 12. The 2-1 Bruin triumph, which was decided in the first two innings, marked history for the program. It was the first-ever top 25 win as well as the first success against an SEC opponent.

Co-Freshman of the Week: Zoie Bernard, Michigan State & Haven Roebuck, Auburn

Zoie Bernard was 7-for-17 (.412) with three doubles, two triples, and three stolen bases to assist Michigan State in its best start since 1997, 4-1. The freshman out of Cordova, Tenn. also contributed nine runs, drew fives walks, slugged for .824 and posted a .545 on-base percentage.

Bernard came up clutch in MSU's 5-2 upset over No. 9 Clemson, supplying two doubles and two runs.

Auburn's Haven Roebuck led the Tiger offense, slashing for .450/.542/.700 in her collegiate debut. Roebuck started every game at third base, tying two other teammates with a team-high nine hits. The freshman found the gap for five doubles and amassed eight RBI.

In Auburn's sizable 10-5 win versus No. 9 Clemson, Roebuck lined the stat sheet with two runs, two walks, a hit, and a RBI.

Team of the Week: Michigan State

As stated, Michigan State is off to a program-best start in 2026 after sealing four wins over BYU (8-4), Longwood (4-1), Pitt (9-7), and No. 9 Clemson (5-2) at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Additionally, the Spartans were narrowly edged by Auburn, 6-9.

MSU combined for a .247 batting average and slugged for .404. In the five games, the Spartans outscored opponents, 32-23 and executed with eight more extra base hits than their counterparts, for a total of 49 bases.

Sydney Doloszycki joined Bernard offensively with nine hits and four RBI, while Hannah Hawley blasted two bombs and tabbed seven RBI.

In the circle, sophomores Jacey Schuler and Carsyn Cassady were brilliant overall, holding a strong Clemson offense to just two runs. In three appearances and 8.1 innings, Cassady upheld a 0.00 ERA and limited her foes to a .167 average, with eight punch outs.

Schuler threw 9.1 innings, recording a 1.50 ERA and earned seven strikeouts.