Pac-12 announces softball players of the week honors

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - ARIZONA senior catcher and designated player Kelsey Rodriguez and OREGON sophomore pitcher Cheridan Hawkins have been voted the Pac-12 Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for play from Feb. 24-Mar. 2, the Conference office announced today. 

Rodriguez (Scottsdale, Ariz.) had six hits, five of which were doubles, to help Arizona to a perfect 5-0 on the week at the Wildcat Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. The Wildcats run-ruled all five opponents and has now won six-straight games in less than seven innings, which ties a school record. During the week, the senior hit .667 (6-for-9) to lead the team, with her five doubles coming in the final three games of the weekend in just six at-bats. Rodriguez scored five of Arizona’s 51 runs with two runs batted in, posting a 1.222 slugging percentage. For the year, she leads the team with a .487 batting average with one home run and 11 RBI on the season. 

Hawkins (Anderson, Calif.) struck out 48 batters in 24.0 innings over four appearances at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla. The sophomore didn’t allow a single earned run and held opposing batters to a .101 average as she posted three shutout victories. Hawkins hit double-digit strikeouts in her complete games against No. 25 Auburn (12), Bradley (16) and Maryland (16), and K’ed five batters in her 3.0 innings of relief against No. 1 Florida, holding the Gators to just one unearned run in Oregon’s second loss on the year. 

It is the first-career weekly honor for Rodriguez and the 138th all-time for the Wildcats, which is the most in the Pac-12. Hawkins’ selection is the fifth of her career, having earned weekly pitching honors earlier this season on Feb. 18. It is the 44th selection all-time for the Ducks. 

Arizona wraps up the non-conference schedule at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif., while Oregon travels to Honolulu, Hawai’i, for the Rainbow Wahine Classic. For more information, including a full schedule, visit www.pac-12.com. 

Also Nominated:
Player: Alexis Gonzalez, OSU; Kylie Sorenson, STAN; Ali Aguilar, WASH. 
Pitcher: Amanda Najdek, OSU; Madi Schreyer, STAN; Bryana Walker, WASH. 

2014 Pac-12 Softball Players of the Week