RIVERDALE, N.Y. - After leading the Manhattan College softball team to three straight wins to conclude the 2012 season, Kate Bowen (Newtown, Conn.) has been named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Week.  Bowen hit .333 (6-for-18) while also going 2-1 in the circle against Wagner, Fairfield and Saint Peter's last week.

In the second game of a doubleheader against Fairfield on Saturday, Bowen belted a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Jaspers a 4-0 victory.  The home run came after she pitched a brilliant eight innings in the circle.  Bowen allowed just two hits, struck out four and walked one to earn the win in that game. 

Then in Sunday's doubleheader sweep at Saint Peter's, Bowen went a combined 2-for-6 at the plate with three RBIs and four runs scored.  She belted a solo homer in the seventh inning of game two, in which she picked up her second consecutive win.  Bowen allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking one in the 11-4 triumph.  Her pitching line for the week (which included a 2-1 loss to Wagner on Wednesday) was a 2-1 record and 1.91 ERA in three complete game efforts.  Bowen struck out 13 and walked just four in 22 innings pitched.

This marks the third time in her career that Bowen has been recognized by the conference.  She was named MAAC Rookie of the Week twice last season (April 18, May 9).

Bowen ended the season as the team leader in batting average (.348), hits (49) and RBIs (26) for the second straight season.  Bowen led the Jaspers in every major offensive category, including home runs (6), runs scored (26) and slugging percentage (.546), and her eight doubles were tied for the most on the squad.  She also paced the pitching staff in innings (118.0), ERA (3.50) and shutouts (2) while tying for the team lead in wins (5).