Christopher Newport senior shortstop Rachael Payne was selected the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week on Wednesday, as the Captains moved up to eighth in the new weekly poll from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Payne, an All-American last year as a junior, was also named the Capital Athletic Conference's Player of the Week on Monday after going 15-for-20 at the plate last week for a .750 batting average. Payne led the Captains to a 6-0 week as the squad concluded the regular season schedule.

Payne had multi-hit games in all but one of the six contests and drove in seven runs while scoring 12 times. She scored the game-winning run in extra innings last Saturday against Frostburg State after leading off the bottom of the ninth with a double.  For the week, Payne reached base in 18 of her 23 plate appearances for an on-base percentage of .783.

The Stafford, Va., native leads the Captains this season with a .554 OBP, ranking 32nd in the nation. She also tops the team and ranks in the top 25 nationally in runs per game, scoring 47 times already this season. That mark is just six shy of the senior season record and has already checked into the top 10 all-time, tied for eighth.  Payne also currently leads the nation in being hit-by-pitches, establishing a new program record with 19 hit-by-pitches this season. 

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