It took just two weekends of Division I softball for Valpo sophomore Kam Utendorf (Columbus Grove, Ohio/Columbus Grove [Black Hawk College]) to earn her first award, as Utendorf was named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week today.

Utendorf stood out over Valpo’s five games last weekend, slashing .643/.706/.786. She started off the weekend by going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base in the win over Morehead State. Utendorf scored her first run by stealing home against the Eagles, while her second run scored was the tying run in the seventh inning in Valpo's come-from-behind win.

Utendorf closed the weekend with another three-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a run scored, two RBIs and two doubles in the Beacons' win over Youngstown State. Utendorf also had a multi-hit game in the weekend's first matchup with YSU, going 2-for-3, and reached base in all three of her plate appearances against host Presbyterian, going 1-for-1 with a run scored and two walks.

Utendorf is the first Beacon to earn a weekly award from the MVC since Regi Hecker was named Player of the Week March 7, 2023, and is the first Valpo player to be named Newcomer of the Week since Jenna Edwards May 6, 2019. Through two weekends, Utendorf’s .556 batting average ranks 26^th nationally, while her .619 on-base percentage is good for 35^th nationally.

Utendorf and the rest of the Beacons return to the diamond this weekend at Chattanooga’s Frost Classic, kicking off five games in three days at 9 a.m. CT Friday versus Texas A&M-CC.