JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Alabama’s Holly Merrit and North Florida’s Cameron Ponich have been named as the ASUN Conference’s Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, announced Tuesday by the league office.
Merritt finished the weekend 8-15 at the plate while batting .533 over four games with a win over Belmont, ranked 14th in the D1 Softball Mid-Major Rankings. Merritt slammed two homeruns with two doubles to turn in a 1.067 slugging percentage. The sophomore recorded a grand slam with four RBI over Lindenwood, went 3-4 over No. 14 Belmont and knocked in a solo homerun off All-American pitcher Maya Johnson.
Ponich went 3-0 for the week with two complete game shutouts where she recorded 16 strikeouts over 13 innings pitched. Ponich allowed no runs and just four hits during her time in the circle. Ponich still has not allowed a run this season with a perfect 0.00 ERA.
Player of the Week
Holly Merrit, North Alabama
Other Nominees: Tia Ica, Bellarmine; Kaitlyn Graham, Central Arkansas; Kennedy Drafton, EKU; Olivia Black, FGCU; Kate Linkletter, Jacksonville; Elizabeth Martin, Lipscomb; Bella Cimino, North Florida; Sage Farmer, Queens; Nicole Edmiaston, Stetson; Jenna Samuel, West Georgia
Pitcher of the Week
Cameron Ponich, North Florida
Other Nominees: Sarah Currie, Central Arkansas; Victoria Ash, FGCU; Jacy Harrelson, Jacksonville; Courtney Sauer, Lipscomb; Katie Simon, North Alabama; Addison Kluck, Queens; Jenna Johnston, Stetson
2026 Season Award Winners
Feb. 9 | Player of the Week: Bella Cimino, North Florida; Pitcher of the Week: Macie Hunolt, North Florida
Feb. 17 | Player of the Week: Holly Merrit, North Alabama;
Pitcher of the Week: Cameron Ponich, North Florida