Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University sophomore infielder Heaven Maness has been named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference softball Player of the Week, league officials announced Tuesday morning. Maness earns Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career.

Maness had a big week, leading the Bulldogs to four SAC road wins. She went eight-for-16 in the four victories, hitting .500 with a double, two homers, five RBI and five runs scored. She also stole three bases in three attempts.

Maness started her week by going three-for-four with an RBI and two runs scored, while also stealing a base in the 8-3 win at Coker. She was two-for-four with a homer, two RBI and another stolen base in the 5-4 victory. Maness went two-for-four with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in game one at Limestone as the 'Dogs rallied for a 9-7 victory, stealing another base. She capped her week with a double in the finale.   

Maness leads the 'Dogs with a .369 average, piling up nine doubles, nine homers, two triples, 33 RBI and 35 runs scored. She has stolen 15 bases in 15 attempts this season. The reigning SAC Freshman of the Year ranks third in the SAC in total bases, seventh in hits, eighth in homers and ninth in stolen bases.

Wingate is back in action Tuesday afternoon, hosting a doubleheader against Catawba at 1 p.m. The 'Dogs are at Mars Hill Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 24 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.