ST. LOUIS – Sophomore Alyssa Barela was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week as the University of Evansville softball team is set for its home opener against Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday at 1 p.m. inside Cooper Stadium.
Barela is coming off one of the biggest performances of the season for the Purple Aces as she recorded five RBI in a win over Big 10 foe Illinois on Sunday. Barela batted .385 in the Red & Black Challenge in Louisville, posting five hits in 13 at-bats. She had a team-best seven RBI while walking twice.