ALFRED, NY -- After capturing the Empire 8 Softball Championship crown for the second year in a row and the Tournament MVP title, sophomore Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) has been selected as the Empire 8 Softball Pitcher of the Week.

Bennett picked up two wins and a save as she was named the 2022 Empire 8 Softball Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player on Saturday, after shutting out No. 2 seeded St. John Fisher College to win the Saxons' second E8 title in a row. In the tournament, Bennett never gave up a single run and only five hits in 10.0 innings. She totaled 14 strikeouts on the weekend including seven in the shutout over Fisher.

Monday's announcement by Associate Commissioner, Joe Venniro, was the second time this season that Bennett had been selected for the honor. She currently leads the nation in saves with eight and holds both the season and career records for Alfred University and a confirmed Empire 8 season record as well. Bennett was also named a Saxon of the Week on Monday along with Alfred University's David Jensen (Hobart, NY/South Kortright) of the western equestrian team.

Bennett and the Saxons now turn their attention to the NCAA Division III Softball National Tournament as they will travel to Kean University for the opening round of the Regional Bracket with the first games scheduled for Friday, May 13.