Lenoir-Rhyne’s Lauren Rakes was named the South Atlantic Conference Varsity Gems Softball Pitcher of the Week for games played during week one of the 2023 season, the Conference office announced today.

Rakes, a senior pitcher from Hamptonville, N.C., threw her second career no-hitter in the first game on Saturday against Lee as the senior struck out 14 batters while walking just two in the program’s 21st no-hitter. She became the sixth pitcher in program history with 500 career strikeouts and the fourth pitcher in program history to throw at least two no-hitters. In the night cap, Rakes picked up her 7th career save, allowing a two-out double but striking out all three to give the Bears the sweep. She struck out 17 in 7 innings without allowing a run or a runner to reach third base.

This is Rakes’ first Pitcher of the Week selection this season as this was also the SAC’s first edition of recognizing the pitcher of the week in 2023.