FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Official CCIW Release

Mar. 22, 2011-- North Central College softball player Vlasta Mangia has been named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Hitter of the Week on Tuesday for her performance at the Tucson Invitational Games, helping the Cardinals open the season with a 4-2 record.

Mangia finished the week with a .846 batting average (11-for-13) with eight RBIs while scoring seven runs. The freshman made her Cardinal debut against Husson University (Maine) on Mar. 18, finishing three-for-four with three RBIs before putting together a three-for-three effort with three RBIs in the nightcap against Lakeland College (Wis.). The outfielder/pitcher was three-for-three again on Mar. 19 against Pacific University (Ore.) while belting her first career home run and driving in two runs in the team's 11-3 victory over Saint Olaf College (Minn.) on Mar. 21.

Mangia (2-1) additionally pitched 11 innings for the Cardinals, making six starts. The freshman righthander fanned seven batters in a 14-0 thrashing of Lakeland, earning the complete game shutout while striking out three in the team's victory over St. Olaf.

The Cardinals (4-2) face the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 11 a.m. (local time) today before taking on Carleton College (Minn.) at 1 p.m.