OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., April 26, 2016 – After a stellar week at the plate, sophomore Astin Donovan was named the USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball announced today.
“Hard work pays off and no one exemplifies that better than Astin,” head coach Ken Eriksen said. “It’s nice to see that her team approach to playing the game is recognized.”
Donovan had her best weekend of the season, going 7-for-11 for a .636 average and a .727 slugging percentage. The sophomore recorded one run and one RBI from the nine-hole in the lineup. She had an on-base percentage of .636 and recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage. Donovan hit one double and had eight total bases on the weekend. She had three multiple-hit games, all against Tulsa.
In the Bulls comeback win over Tulsa on Saturday, Donovan began the five-run fifth inning with a one-out single before coming around to score. In the final game, she used a bases-loaded double to plate a run and help USF secure the sweep.
“I was not expecting to be recognized, so it is an honor to be selected as a national player of the week,” Donovan said. “I felt like I had some really good at-bats this weekend and I felt better than I have most of the season.”
“I was really calm and confident at the plate and seeing the ball really well. I had a clear plan in mind as to what I wanted to do when I was at the plate but at the same time, I was just trying to get on base to help my team produce runs. We’re continuing to work hard to achieve our team goals.”
Donovan and the rest of the Bulls wrap up conference play this weekend as they host UCF in the final series of the regular season. The series will be played at the USF Softball Stadium April 29-May 1.
Appears courtesy of USF Athletics, www.gousfbulls.com