(LEBANON, Ill., April 28)--Morgan Parkhurst of William Woods University has been named the American Midwest Conference Softball Player of the Week, while Katie Ward of McKendree University has been tabbed as the AMC Softball Pitcher of the Week. The honors cover games played in the period from April 20-26.

Parkhurst, a sophomore outfielder from Millstadt, Ill., batted .600 on the week, collecting six hits in 10 at-bats. She posted four doubles and had five RBI in those contests. Parkhurst scored four runs and drew a pair of walks and she helped the Owls to doubleheader sweeps of Williams Baptist College and Park University.

For the season, Parkhurst is batting .398 with two home runs and 28 RBI. She is second on the Owls' squad with 11 doubles and four stolen bases.

Ward, a junior pitcher from White Hall, Ill., had a 1-0 record in two games this week, but put herself in the Bearcats' record book in her no-decision. Ward limited Stephens College to just two hits in a 4-0 win over the Stars, striking out 11 in the process. Then, in McKendree's 6-0 victory at Harris-Stowe State University on April 25, Ward combined with freshman Autumn Allen to throw a perfect game. Ward pitched the final three innings in the gem, striking out three batters.

In 12 appearances this season, Ward has a record of 7-2 with an ERA of 2.24. She has fanned 74 batters in 68 2/3 innings of work for the Bearcats.