DENVER Loyola Marymounts Sami Strinz and Fresno States Jamie Southern have been named the Western Athletic Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Both Strinz and Southern have been honored this season. Strinz earned Pitcher of the Week honors on Feb. 4, while Southern has earned pitcher of the week honors the last three weeks.
Strinz, a sophomore right fielder from Keizer, Ore. (McKay HS), went 5-8 in a split against Brigham Young. She went 4-for-5 with five RBI and two home runs in a 13-4 win over the Cougars. The two home run game is the first since Hawai`is Kate Judd hit two home runs in one game twice last year. Strinz ended the week with a .625 batting average. Strinz is the first player since New Mexicos Danielle Cassara to win player and pitcher of the week in the same season. Cassara achieved the feat in 1999.
Southern, a freshman from Clovis, Calif., (Clovis HS) earned her third-straight player of the week honor pitching against three top 10 teams at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. Southern earned wins against No. 6 Washington and Boston University. She lost to No. 2 Stanford (1-0 in eight innings) and No. 5 LSU (1-0). For the tournament, the right-hander went 2-2 with 43 strikeouts in 29.0 innings and a 0.97 ERA. For her efforts, Southern was named to the NFCA Leadoff Classic All-Tournament team.
Southern is the first pitcher since Fresno States Felicity Witt and Portland States Morgan Seibert in 2001 to earn the honor three times in a season. In 2000, Fresno States Amanda Scott earned eight pitcher of the week honors.
Other player of the week nominees included: Lindsay Fossatti, Fresno State and Becca Baldridge, San Jose State.
Other pitcher of the week nominees included: Corianne Rogalsky, Loyola Marymount.