LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV softball team had three players recognized on the Mountain West All-MW postseason awards list, led by fifth year senior
Maddie Schmidt earning Defensive Player of the Year honors, the conference office announced Wednesday. Junior
Ariana Martinez picked up an All-MW first team nod, and Schmidt and senior
Ellie Zellien garnered second team.
Schmidt becomes the third Rebel to earn the defensive player of the year honor since the award was introduced in 2014. She is the second UNLV player under head coach
Kristie Fox to pick up the nod. Martinez becomes a three-time first-team selection, while it is the first career MW award for Zellien.
Schmidt, a Yorba Linda, California, native, started every game this season at shortstop for the Rebels, becoming one of the best middle infielders in the league. In MW play, the fifth year senior collected 43 putouts, 56 assists and eight errors for a .925 fielding percentage. Double plays are where Schmidt shines, turning seven of UNLV's eight in league play, of which her seven lead the league. At the plate, Schmidt batted a .329 in MW play to go with 25 hits, which ranked 15th in the MW. She also had three triples which was tied to lead the MW.
Martinez, a San Antonio, Texas, native, continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the league. Martinez batted a .400 in MW play which led the Rebels and ranked fourth in the conference standings. She has a league-leading eight doubles against MW foes to go with a .615 slugging percentage.Martinez is tied to lead the team in hits during conference play with 26. Not only is she hitting the ball, Martinez has a team-high 16 walks, which ranks tied for third in the MW, and a .524 on-base percentage, which is third in the conference.
Zellien, Temple City, California, native, leads the pitching staff for the Rebels in league play with a 6-2 record. She pitched five complete games against MW opponents including a career-high 9.0 innings in the Rebels double header against Boise State and earned a 2-1 extra innings win. Zellien has held her conference opponents to only hit a .244, which sits fourth in the league rankings. Through MW play, Zellien has struck out 24 hitters in 71.1 innings of work. Her 71.1 innings is good for third in the conference and her 24 strikeouts are tied 12th in the league rankings.
The Rebels will open the MW Softball Championships on Thursday, May 9 at 3 p.m. PT. UNLV will await its opponent and play the winner of UNR and Colorado State.
