Sophia Kardatzke secures third Player of the Week honor; Laila Landrum adds first career weekly honor
4/27/2026 3:00:00 PM | Softball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Following the final week of Conference play for five of seven teams in Big South Play, the Big South Conference announced weekly awards with Sophia Kardatzke being featured as Big South Softball Player of the Week for the third time in April and second consecutive week. Freshman, Laila Landrum was named Freshman of the Week for the first time in her career.Â
Big South Softball Player of the Week: Sophia KardatzkeÂ
From shaking off the rust in March after returning from injury to adding her third Player of the Week award of her Sophomore Season while holding the crown for the second consecutive week. Kardatzke made her presence felt through five games played as Upstate went 3-2 against SC State and Charleston Southern. Kardatzke filled up the stats sheet going 10-for-19 at the plate with four of five games being multi-hit games. She followed with a nine-RBI week, two doubles, two home runs, three stolen bases and a .526 batting average on the week. Kardatzke continues to being an important piece to the lineup as added a .571 on base percentage and .947 slugging percentage. Sophia Kardatzke's journey continues to be highlighted with overcoming many odds and reminding others of her impact when she steps on the field. Kardatzke has now been named Player of the Week three times in her career which all came during the month of April. Â
Big South Freshman of the Week: Laila LandrumÂ
The Freshman from Simpsonville, South Carolina has quietly climbed her way into being ranked top 10 in the Big South as one of the best hitters with a .368 batting average. Appearing in 41 games and starting in 17, Landrum has added 21 hits whether it is being the go-to pinch hitter or starting in the outfield while adding 10 runs scored, six doubles, and 11 RBI. During the week of Apr. 20-25, Landrum led Upstate batting .600 through four games she appeared in recording a hit in three of the four games and two RBI on the week. Landrum added two doubles on the week and one stolen base while making herself guaranteed that when she enters the game, she's getting on base with a .600 on-base percentage along with a 1.000 slugging percentage. As Laila Landrum continues to grow in her career, she now adds her first weekly award as the Freshman of the Week.Â
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