ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris softball team swept the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Athlete of the Week awards for the period of March 16–22, as announced Tuesday, March 24.
 
Alyssa Thornton was named UMAC Pitcher of the Week after going 2-2 on the week. This marks her fourth time earning a weekly award. Thornton's first win came against the University of La Verne, where she pitched seven innings, struck out two batters, and allowed just two earned runs. The San Diego native also threw a complete-game shutout in the series finale against Crown College. Thornton finished the week with 17 strikeouts and a 4.73 ERA.
 
GingerAnn Lucas earned UMAC Player of the Week honors for the first time in her collegiate career. The first-year infielder posted a .478 batting average across six games. Lucas led the team in runs and RBIs with six apiece. Her best performance of the week came against Crown, where she went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs, two runs, and one stolen base.
 
The Cougars are scheduled for their home opener on Friday, with a 4 p.m. first pitch against Bethany Lutheran College.