St. John's University Athletics
Pair of Johnnies Claim Major Weekly Softball Awards
2/23/2026 4:31:00 PM | Softball
Jess Bianco was named player of the week and Loreley Francia was tabbed as the top pitcher
NEW YORK — Following a 3-2 week at the Stetson Invitational in DeLand, Fla., a pair of Johnnies claimed BIG EAST's Weekly Honors. Jess Bianco was named BIG EAST Player of the Week, while Loreley Francia was tabbed the BIG EAST Pitcher of the week, the conference announced on Monday.
Bianco garners the second player of the week award of her career. She last earned the title on Feb. 24, 2025. Francia collects the sixth Pitcher of the Week award of her career and first of the 2026 campaign, with her last honor coming on May 5, 2025.
The senior paced the Red Storm's offense in the Sunshine State after hitting .421 with six runs scored and two RBIs. Bianco also stole three bases, eclipsing 100 career stolen bases to add to her active program record of 101.
The Cherry Hill, N.J., native logged two hits and at least one run scored in four of the Johnnies' five contests. Through Feb. 22, Bianco leads the Red Storm in hits (26), batting average (.491) and is tied for the lead in runs (11).
Francia racked up a 2-0 record at the Stetson Invitational, posting a 1.40 ERA in 15 innings pitched. She posted 13 strikeouts in appearances against Columbia and Stetson and pitched a complete-game shutout in the Red Storm's 3-0 victory over the former on Feb. 20.
Bianco and Francia's honors mark the fifth and sixth appearances St. John's has made on the BIG EAST Weekly Awards in 2026. Ana Serafinko and Natasha Limbani were tabbed to the Weekly Honor Roll on Feb. 9. Serafinko was named the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 16, while Cassidy Stouffer received the first Honor Roll placement of her career on the same day.
Bianco, Francia and the Johnnies will return to action this weekend at the Battle at the Max hosted by ECU from Feb. 27-March 1. St. John's will face ECU twice, Campbell twice and Rider once in Greenville, N.C.
