DENVER Tulsas Stephanie Sliepen and Fresno States Jamie Southern have been named the Western Athletic Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. This is the first honor this season for Sliepen and the third for Southern as a pitcher. Southern has also earned one player of the week honor this season.
Sliepen, an outfielder from St. Charles, Mo., recorded a pair of hits in addition to getting hit once helping Tulsa defeat No. 7 ranked Oklahoma, 4-2. She nearly hit for the cycle in Tulsas comeback bid the next evening against Oklahoma State, just missing a home run in her final at-bat. Sliepen also recorded her fifth stolen base in five attempts on the season, against OSU. Tulsas victory over seventh-ranked Oklahoma is the highest ranked opponent the Hurricane has ever defeated. Tulsas victory over Oklahoma is the highest ranked opponent a WAC team has ever this season.
Southern, a senior pitcher from Clovis, Calif., made her 100th career win memorable. As the 40th NCAA Division I pitcher to reach the 100-win plateau, she tossed her fourth career perfect game and sixth career no-hitter against Dartmouth on March 25. Striking out six in Fresno State's 8-0, 5 inning win over the Big Green, Southern threw the programs 13th perfect game and 57th no-hitter overall. Of the 13 perfect games recorded, eight have come at home. Of those eight, Southern has thrown three of her four at Bulldog Diamond. In addition, she became just the second WAC hurler to post 100 or more career victories. The other pitcher is former Bulldog All-America standout Amanda Scott, who is the WAC record holder with 106 victories.
Other player of the week nominees included: Jamie Southern, Fresno State; Tyleen Tausaga, Hawaii and Courtney Lewis, San Jose State.
Other pitcher of the week nominees included: Kate Robinson, Hawaii; Courtney Lewis, San Jose State and Maren Genow, Tulsa.