On Monday afternoon, the Ohio Valley Conference announced the latest OVC Softball Player of the Weeks and Senior Pitcher Ryleigh Owens was among the players who was featured on this week's list. The native of Edwardsville, Ill picked up two wins and added her first save of the 2026 season over Easter weekend to help the Lions win their second consecutive OVC series sweep and seventh straight game overall. 

In game one of the doubleheader on Thursday against Tennessee State, the Senior picked up a save by striking out two batters in the bottom of the seventh inning and didn't allow a hit while stranding runners on second and third with one out. In the second game of the doubleheader, Owens pitched all five innings and won her first game of the week as she allowed just two hits and added two more strikeouts to her weekly total while only allowing one run en route to her second complete game of the season. On Friday, Owens added her second win of the series as she pitched the final 2.1 innings of the game in which she allowed one hit and gave up zero runs with the game tied at four at the time of her entering the game. For the week, Owens allowed three total hits over 8.1 innings pitched and recorded five strikeouts. 

Ryleigh and the Lions will return to the diamond this weekend as they will host SIUE beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11. First pitch from Lou Brock Sports Complex is set for 1 p.m. with game two to follow at 3:30 p.m. CT.