Thomas, Abbott, Fomby, Kelsheimer & Nance as MaxPreps/NFCA National H.S. Players of the Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior pitcher/outfielder Steph Thomas Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), junior pitcher Payton Abbott (Stillman Valley (Stillman Valley, Ill.) H.S.), senior pitcher Chelsea Fomby (Elmore County (Eclectic, Ala.)H.S.), Cassidy Kelsheimer (Chase County (Cottonwood Falls, Kan.) H.S.) and junior outfielder Rylie Nance (Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) H.S.) have been selected as the MaxPreps/NFCA National High School Players of the Week for games played over March 31-April 6.

East Region

In the Eagles' first action of the 2014 campaign, Thomas managed a .467 average (7-for-15) with a double and an RBI while also going a perfect 4-0 from the circle with a miniscule 0.27 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 26 innings of work. She permitted just a .143 batting average against and struck out at least eight in each of her four pitching appearances. Included was a high of nine punch-outs during a 5-0 triumph over Paramus (N.J.), while her finest effort at the dish was a 3-for-4 performance in a 7-1 triumph over Academy of the Holy Angels (N.J.).

North Region

Abbott helped the Cardinals to a 4-0 week by going 13-for-17 (.765) at the plate with 10 runs scored, two doubles, one triple, three HR's and nine RBIs, while also posting a perfect 3-0 mark from the circle with 21 strikeouts over 16 frames. Included among her impressive performances was a 4-for-4 effort with a pair of two-baggers, a triple and a HR during a "W" over Argyle (Wis.) and a staggering 5-for-5 day with two HR's and seven RBIs in a rout of Orangeville (Ill.)

South Region

Fomby was a flawless 6-0 from the circle for the Panthers while registering a 0.00 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 38 total innings of work. She allowed just nine total hits for the week and even tossed her first no-hitter of 2014 while walking two in a 3-2 triumph over Reeltown (Ala.). With her performances Fomby improved her season mark to 14-1 overall to go along with a 0.58 ERA and 66 K's over 84 frames.

South Central Region

Kelsheimer christened the Bulldogs' season by hitting .714 overall (10-for-14) with two doubles, a triple, a HR and 11 total RBIs. She managed at least two hits in each of Chase County's four match-ups including a 2-for-4 effort with two extra-base hits and four RBIs during a 15-0 win over Moundridge (Kan.) and a 3-for-4 performance with a double, a triple and three RBIs in a 9-1 rout of Mission Valley (Kan.).

West Region

Nance did major damage last week for the Pioneers over just three contests, batting .769 (10-for-13) with three runs scored, a double, two triples and a staggering 11 RBIs. Perhaps her finest effort came during a 15-6 rout of Ironwood (Ariz.) as she went 5-for-5 at the dish with two extra-base hits and five RBIs. For the season Nance is hitting at a .533 clip with three two-baggers, three triples and 17 RBIs.

MaxPreps.com, the official high school statistical provider of the NFCA, provides all statistics for the NFCA High School Player of the Week award. To nominate a player for the award, the coach must enter his or her athlete's game stats into MaxPreps.com by Sunday evening to be eligible for that week's award.

The MaxPreps/NFCA High School Players of the Week will be announced on NFCA.org every Monday during the spring season, with one representative chosen from each of five separate high school regions (if there are enough nominations to consider). During the fall campaign, just a single player will be selected representing all participating regions.

MaxPreps is a free stat tool that is available to high school coaches across the country and is one of the most recognized and respected high school athletics web sites on the internet. Coaches who enter their team's stats on Max Preps will not only be nominating their players for this award, but they will be getting their team's information out to thousands of high school sports fans, as well as college coaches across the country.

To obtain a coach's login, please contact: kwagner@maxpreps.com or call (800) 329-7324 x5153.