Softball’s Alyssa Gonzalez and Madie Sorensen Take NWC Student-Athletes of the Week

Reported by Kaylee Hatfield

Alyssa Gonzalez and Madie Sorensen at George Fox University (GFU) were named Northwest Women’s Conference (NWC) Softball Position and Pitching Student-Athlete of the Week, respectively. This is the first NWC honor for Gonzalez and the third for Sorensen. Their plays were critical in helping the Bruins win five out of six games in the start of their season in February of this year.

Sorensen, a senior pitcher, has played softball since she was eight. About her conference office award Sorensen said, “It’s a huge honor ... It’s not just a pitcher win, but a whole team win.”

Gonzalez, a junior catcher, has played softball since she was seven and has been catching since she was 10. “She’s been doing fantastic,” Gonzalez said about being Sorenson’s catcher. The team has a strong defense, and Sorensen helped to maintain zero runs for the opposing teams, while Gonzalez recorded four doubles and one home run their first weekend of the season.

Sorensen said that team focus has been a main source for success from preseason to their first several conference  games. Gonzalez followed that the seniors on the team have set a strong model of leading and serving.

“We are super excited about team chemistry this year,” said Sorensen. The team has been very intentional about building connectedness and incorporating faith.

The coaches have played an integral role, as well. Gonzalez expressed her appreciation for the life skills she has learned while playing at GFU. These include sportsmanship, integrity, respect, how to face adversity and how to prioritize being a student-athlete.

Sorenson agreed, adding qualities such as friendship, family, leadership and team community. Learning and refining these skills through athletics has helped prepare both players for post-graduate life.

“Madie is a fierce competitor and Alyssa is always striving to be better,” said Head Coach Jessica Hollen. “They both know what it takes to be successful and respect the hard work others put into the game.”

Hollen also commented on the team’s excellent coachability. Only one senior graduated from the team last year, making for a veteran group “who are talented and experienced,” said Hollen, who looks forward to seeing the players express their solid defense and great offensive potential on the field this season.

Sorensen received the same NCW honor again the next week with seven strikeouts and zero walking batters. Overall, the women’s softball team is off to a great start, winning 11 out of 14 games.