Karnatz rides hot bat to MWC Player of the Week honor

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University’s Amanda Karnatz got her softball career off to a flying start by earning Midwest Conference Player of the Week honors after her first few games as a Viking.

Karnatz (Elmhurst, Ill./York), a rookie center fielder, sparked the Lawrence offense during the Vikings’ spring break trip to Florida. Batting at the top of the Lawrence lineup, Karnatz hit .538 during the Vikings’ final eight games in the Sunshine State.

Karnatz went 14-for-26 and scored 14 runs, an average of 1.75 per game. She also picked up three walks and was hit by a pitch to compile a .600 on-base percentage.

Karnatz showed pop in her bat as well with five doubles for a .731 slugging percentage. She swiped eight bases in nine tries and recorded an outfield assist.

The Vikings return to action on Wednesday when Lawrence hosts Rockford University in a nonconference doubleheader at Whiting Field.