Mason Johnson (Terra State) and Jackson Smith (Lakeland) are back as the OCCAC’s Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, and are joined by a pair of freshmen from Cuyahoga Softball — Gabrielle Nieves (position player) and Julee Phillips (pitcher).
Phillips was incredible, tossing a 5-inning no-hitter and racking up 40 strikeouts across four outings spanning 19 total innings. She surrendered a lone unearned run while holding the opposition to seven hits and 10 walks during her 3-0 week. Phillips struck out 11 or more batters in three of four appearances.
Smith flung a 5-inning complete game win in the Lakers final game versus Jamestown, a 12-2 victory. One of their runs was unearned and Smith tallied four strikeouts while allowing three hits and two walks. Smith’s previous OCCAC Player of the Week recognition came on April 8, 2024.
Nieves went 14-22 (.636) with six doubles, a homerun and 12 RBI during the Triceratops’ 5-1 week. She ripped off a 6-game hitting streak, including multiple hits in five of six contests. A ridiculous 5-5 effort with three doubles and six RBI came in a run-away triumph over Northland.
Johnson was directly responsible for 29 runs — driving in 20 and scoring nine himself — in seven games for the Titans. He compiled 15 hits in 22 at-bats (.682), highlighted by three doubles, a triple and four homeruns. Something about this time of year works out well for Johnson as he was named the OCCAC Pitcher of the Week on March 18, 2024 as well.