Annville, PA – Messiah College earned four Commonwealth Players of the Week on Monday, recogntion for outstanding performances in four different sports for the Falcons last week. Sophomore pitcher
Jon Lapp, junior defender
Maddie Comfort, junior golfer
Matt Burkhart, and senior third baseman
Ashley Lehman took home the honors.
The awards are weekly voted upon by a panel of Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) sports information directors.
Jon Lapp - Sophomore - Pitcher*
The week started off well for the Falcons as they
took down #4 Salisbury University en route to five straight wins. In the middle of the streak was Lapp, who turned in a huge performance for the Falcons against Commonwealth rival Widener University. With their pitching staff somewhat depleted from their wins over Salisbury and York,
Lapp delivered eight innings of two-run ball for Messiah as they defeated the Pride 4-2. He allowed only five hits and four walks, striking out six batters.
*Lapp's honor is for the Commonwealth Pitcher Player of the Week
Maddie Comfort - Junior - Defender**
Comfort stood out in a big way for the #9-ranked Falcons last week, leading the team to a 2-0 record. Their wins included a
come-from-behind victory over Commonwealth rival Elizabethtown College, with Comfort scoring her first goal of the season. She also collected her first assist in the Falcons' 13-10 win over the Blue Jays, and added another assist in
Saturday's 18-7 win over FDU-Florham.
Across her two games Comfort collected six draw controls and three groundballs, and also caused four turnovers. Her defense has been a large reason the Falcons are holding their opponents to a Commonwealth-best 9.67 goals per game.
**Comfort's honor is for the Commonwealth Defender/Goalie Player of the Week
Matt Burkhart - Junior - Golfer
Burkhart entered last week as the #9-ranked golfer in the nation for NCAA Division III, and may move up in the standings after two impressive performances. The Falcons' leader
shot an even par 72 at The Bridges Golf Club in Abbottstown, Pa., taking 1st place in the Gettysburg Invitational. Messiah finished with a team score of 331, good for 4th place overall.
He followed up that round with a better performance at the PSU-Harrisburg Spring Classic over the weekend,
shooting a 3-under 69 on Friday and a 73 (+1) on Saturday to take 1st place once again. His combined score of 142 was six strokes better than his nearest competitor. Messiah tied for 3rd overall with a team score of 31-.
Ashley Lehman - Senior - Third Baseman***
Lehman turned in an all-around great week for the Falcons, leading Messiah to a 4-0 record which included
two Commonwealth wins. She batted .620 with a double and six RBI, making five putouts and collecting seven assists from the hot corner.
Lehman also went 4-4 on stolen base attempts.
***Lehman's honor is for the Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Week
