Victorious pitching by Aryka Knoche puts her on the charts for ASA/USA JO Player of the Week honors

Aryka Knoche (Little Canada, Minn.) not only pitched outstanding, but also helped herself offensively to work her Renegades team to win the championship in the ASA National Qualifier in Mounds Minnesota.

Knoche’s performance has led her to this week’s third USA Junior Olympic (JO) Player of the Week honors, presented by Worth Fastpitch and www.FloSoftball.com.

Announced today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball, Knoche had a performance not most could say they accomplished. Aryka pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Combats and pitched a two-hit game resulting in a three to zero victory in the championship game against the Minnesota Magic 16 GOLD team.

“As a Drake University commit, she has an excellent travel ball team to play behind and gives all the credit to her catcher who helps her become a pitcher at the mound,” says father, Ron Knoche. “ Aryka is determined, with a team who is confident to play behind her and support her, she enjoys the teamwork.”

To add to her defensive statistics, Knoche had a solid weekend at the plate. She had a batting average of .375 (3-for-8) with one RBI, including a three hits with one double and a total of four bases.

“Aryka used to be a primarily right handed hitter and now has switched over to the left side. She can do it all, she can hit, slap, and run the bases at 5’11” with great speed,” states her father with much excitement for his daughter and this past weekend’s accomplishments.

Established to recognize JO players 18 years or younger for outstanding play in an ASA/USA sanctioned event, the ASA/USA Softball JO Player of the Week honors 10 athletes, male or female, from May 27 – August 4 following the conclusion of the ASA/USA JO National Championships.

In order to be eligible for the award, athletes must be registered with their local ASA/USA association and must participate in ASA/USA Softball sanctioned events or tournaments during the week nominated. Nominations can be made here: FloSoftball.com.

2015 ASA/USA Softball JO Player of the Week award schedule 


• Week 1 (May 27 – June 2): Bella Hills (Branford, CT.) – Connecticut Impact
• Week 2 (June 3 – 9): Hailey Peloquin (Woonsocket, R.I.) – RI Thunder Gold
• Week 3 (June 10 – 16): Aryka Knoche (Little Canada, Mn.) – Renegades ‘98
• Week 4 (June 17 – 23): Winner announced June 26
• Week 5 (June 24 – 30): Winner announced July 3
• Week 6 (July 1 – 7): Winner announced July 10
• Week 7 (July 8 – 14): Winner announced July 17
• Week 8 (July 15 – 21): Winner announced July 24
• Week 9 (July 22 – 28): Winner announced July 31
• Week 10 (July 29 – August 4): Winner announced August 7

Honorable Mentions:

Molly Wolf (Horseheads, N.Y.)– Molly had an exceptional weekend with a .909 batting average and a slugging percentage of 1.818 and an on base percentage of .929.  As a leader of her team, Wolf helped her team Southern Tier Smoke with contributing offensively with 11 RBI’s and a total of 20 bases.