CARBONDALE, Ill. – Emily Williams and Brooklynn Danielson of the Southern Illinois University softball team have both received weekly honors from the Missouri Valley Conference after SIU’s 4-0 week against SIUE and UIC.
For the second time this season, Williams is the MVC Player of the Week while Danielson is the MVC Pitcher of the Week. Danielson is also D1Softball’s Week 13 Mid-Major Freshman of the Week for the first time in her career.
This is now the third time in Williams’ career she has received the award. The junior last earned the honor on March 17 and also earned it once last season on April 14, 2025.
In four games played, Williams went 7-for-14 with two home runs, nine RBI, three doubles, two runs scored, and a team-leading 1.143 slugging percentage. The designated player’s .563 on-base percentage was also the highest on the team.
On Saturday at UIC, the junior broke SIU’s single-season RBI record with a three-run double in the third inning. This gave Williams 58 RBI on the year, breaking Jackie Lis’ record of 57 that was set in 2023.
Danielson last earned MVC Pitcher of the Week honors on April 14. An SIU pitcher has received the award in three of the past four weeks (Emily Delgado also earned this on April 21).
The freshman went 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in three appearances. Across 11.0 innings pitched, Danielson allowed just two runs (one earned), six hits, two walks, and had eight strikeouts. In game one at UIC on Friday, the pitcher tossed a complete game with just three hits and one run (zero earned) allowed.
Williams, Danielson, and the Salukis are the No. 2 seed for this week’s MVC Tournament in Carbondale, Ill. Southern Illinois’ first game will be on Thursday, May 7, at 3 p.m. against either No. 3 Murray State or No. 6 Evansville.
Missouri Valley Conference Weekly Awards – May 5
Player of the Week: Emily Williams, DP, Southern Illinois, Jr., Louisville, Ky,
Pitcher of the Week: Brooklynn Danielson, P, Southern Illinois, Fr., Kenosha, Wis.
Newcomer of the Week: Grace Hollopeter, UT, Sr., Valparaiso
Freshman of the Week: Allie Waldron, C, Fr., Murray State
