DENVER Fresno States Tiffany Whipple and Jamie Southern have been named the Western Athletic Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.
Whipple, a junior second baseman from Fresno, Calif., (Buchannan HS) hit .667 in four games as the Bulldogs extended their winning streak to eight games with doubleheader sweeps of Cal Poly and San Jose State. The center fielder scored the game-winning run in both 1-0 wins over the Spartans.
In the four games, she had eight hits and three runs scored in 12 at bats. Against San Jose State, Whipple went 3-3 in game two of the doubleheader. This is Whipples first player of the week honor of the season after earning the honor once last season.
Southern, a freshman from Clovis, Calif., (Clovis HS) earned her sixth pitcher of the week honor by throwing her second perfect game of the season against San Jose State. The freshman is in the midst of a 44.2 scoreless innings streak, fifth-best all-time in Fresno State history. Southern became the second Bulldog pitcher to throw two perfect games, also throwing a perfect game against Tennessee Tech. The last to complete the feat was Melanie Parrent. (1985-88). Southern also threw a no-hitter against UC Riverside on March 12, walking one batter.
In game two against San Jose State, Southern earned her league-leading third save of the season after striking out two of three batters faced in the seventh to seal the 1-0 Bulldog win. With her sixth honor, Southern is two away from former Bulldog Amanda Scott who earned player of the week honors eight times during the 2000 season.
Other player of the week nominees included: Trisha Gomes, Loyola Marymount and Holly Reynolds, Tulsa
Other pitcher of the week nominees included: Jennifer Heliotes, Loyola Marymount and Sheri Oronoz, Hawai`i.