GORHAM, Maine  –  Freshman Emily Wheeler (Old Town, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' softball team has been named the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week. An infielder for the Huskies, Wheeler is the first Southern Maine player to earn LEC weekly honors during the 2026 season.
 
Wheeler helped Southern Maine to a 5-1 record last week as the Huskies competed in The Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida.  Playing and starting at third base for each of Southern Maine's six games, Wheeler was .500 at the plate going 10-for-20 with three doubles, and a triple with eight runs scored.  Hitting safely in five of the six games, and drawing two walks, Wheeler had a .545 on-base percentage and a .750 slugging percentage. The Huskies' rookie had three multiple-hit games including a 3-for-3 effort (two singles, triple) in a 6-2 win versus Framingham State, and another 3-for-3 (two singles, double) effort against Keuka College in a 13-2 (5 inning) win. Wheeler closed out her week, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in a 6-1 win versus Manchester University. Through nine games this season, Wheeler is hitting .419 (13-for-31) with four doubles and a triple. She has three RBI and eight runs scored. Defensively, Wheeler has nine putouts and 12 assists in 23 chances, and has helped turn a double play.
 
Southern Maine is scheduled to host the University of New England in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, March 25 (3:00 pm).
 
 
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