Girls Athlete of the Week: Jules Natoli, Howard, softball

The senior shortstop led the No. 4 Lions (11-2) to three Howard County wins last week, including Friday's 6-0 victory over then-No.1 and previously undefeated Reservoir. In that game, Natoli went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and two runs scored. Earlier in the week, she went 3-for-3 with three RBIs in a win against Wilde Lake and then 2-for-3 with two RBIs in a win against Mount Hebron, also making two fine defensive plays to help preserve a perfect game thrown by pitcher Samantha O'Connor. A four-year starter who played her first two seasons at third base, Natoli is batting .633 this spring with 21 RBIs, 18 runs and five stolen bases. In 20 plate appearances, she has only struck out once. Natoli, who has a 3.8 GPA, is considering attending Towson with plans to walk on the softball team. At Howard, she also played three years on the varsity basketball team.

Others considered: Natalie Easthom, Browdneck, lacrosse; Kim Federowicz, Chesapeake-AA, softball; Rayven Ray, Kenwood, track and field; Ashleigh Stallings, Maryvale Prep, track and field; Megan Whittle, McDonogh, lacrosse.