Softball: Hmiel earns national honor

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Pitt softball player Kelly Hmiel its Division I… The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Pitt softball player Kelly Hmiel its Division I National Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Kelly Hmiel, a junior third baseman from York, Pa., received the honor after she was named the 2011 Buccaneer Classic Tournament MVP, guiding Pitt to a 5-0 record over the weekend. She’s the first Pitt softball player to earn the award.

“To be selected the Division I National Player of the Week is a great accomplishment. I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the Pitt softball program, as well as representing this University and the Athletic Department in a positive matter,” Hmiel said in a statement.

For the week ending March 13, Hmiel finished with a .824 batting average, .789 on-base performance and three perfect appearances at the plate in five games. She totaled six home runs, two doubles and six singles for the week, driving home 16 runs. Defensively, she finished with a .917 fielding percentage.

“Kelly has gotten better each week, and I expect her continue to learn and develop as the season continues,” head coach Holly Aprile said in a statement.

Hmiel’s award marked the first individual player honor for a member of the Panther softball team since Feb. 18, 2008 when the Big East named Cory Berliner the Pitcher of the Week. It was the first time Aprile has coached an individual honoree at Pitt. Aprile arrived at Pitt in July 2008.