PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly softball honors for the week ending Sunday, Feb. 16.
Player of the Week
Aziah James * So. * OF * UConn
James was a key piece of the UConn offense as the leadoff hitter during a 5-0 weekend for the Huskies at The Spring Games in Clermont, Florida. James batted an impressive .550 with 11 hits, one game-winning RBI, five stolen bases and 10 runs scored. She went 3-for-3 with a stolen base and three runs scored against Central Michigan (Feb. 14), adding three more hits, a steal and three runs in the nightcap against Stetson (Feb. 14). James logged a crucial sacrifice bunt and scored one run in a rematch with Stetson (Feb. 15) and ultimately recorded four hits, two stolen bases and two runs later in the day against Central Michigan (Feb. 15). James closed the weekend with the game-winning single in the eighth inning to go along with a steal and run scored to defeat Purdue (Feb. 16) in the UConn tournament finale. Through 10 games this season, James is tied for The American lead with 16 hits and ranks second with 14 runs and six stolen bases.
Pitcher of the Week
Marybeth Olson * Jr. * RHP * UConn
Olson rolled in the circle for the second straight weekend to aid the UConn cause, going 2-0 with a 0.54 ERA while adding a .500 batting average, a .667 on-base percentage and five RBI at the plate. Olson limited opponents to a .111 batting average against over 13 innings, walking three, striking out 16 and yielding only one extra-base hit. She kicked off The Spring Games with a dominant performance against Central Michigan (Feb. 14), tossing a five-inning no-hitter that featured only two walks and eight strikeouts. Olson also doubled and drove in three runs in the win over the Chippewas. She capped the weekend by going the distance against Purdue (Feb. 16) in an eight-inning thriller, allowing five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts on 113 pitches. Olson leads The American with 43 strikeouts and ranks second with a 0.76 ERA and four victories, holding opponents to a mere .141 batting average against.
Weekly Honor Roll
Samantha Pochop * Jr. * RHP * Tulsa
Went 1-0 with a save, a 0.64 ERA and a .111 batting average against in three appearances (one start) at the Mississippi State Bulldog Kickoff Classic; threw 2.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to earn the save against Tennessee State (Feb. 14), spun a one-hit shutout with no walks and 14 strikeouts against North Alabama (Feb. 15) and struck out three in 1.2 innings of relief the following day against North Alabama (Feb. 16)
Georgina Corrick * Jr. * RHP * USF
Posted a 1-1 record against three top-20 foes at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational, striking out 19 batters in 14 innings; tossed 3.1 innings of no-hit relief and seven punch outs against No. 16 Oklahoma State (Feb. 13) and clocked the game-winning two-run home run while scattering three hits and striking out nine in the circle in a shutout of No. 15 Georgia (Feb. 16)
Juliana Wilson * Fr. * C * UCF
Batted an even .500 with two home runs, six RBI, a 1.200 slugging percentage and four runs scored in a 4-1 UCF week; belted a home run and drove in two runs against No. 1 Washington (Feb. 12), went 2-for-2 with a double, home run and four RBI in a win over Iowa State (Feb. 15) and scored twice in a run-rule rout of FAU (Feb. 16)
Madison Perrigan * Sr. * C * Wichita State
Led all Wichita State batters with a .500 batting average, a home run, six RBI, an .857 slugging percentage and four runs scored at the Texas State Bobcat Classic; drove in two runs and scored twice against Saint Louis (Feb. 14), homered with four RBI and two runs scored later in the day against UTSA (Feb. 14) and chipped in two hits against host Texas State (Feb. 15)
Logyn Estes * Fr. * RHP * East Carolina
Compiled a 2-0 record and 1.27 ERA at the East Carolina Pirate Clash, limiting opponents to a .205 batting average against; allowed two earned runs in four innings against George Washington (Feb. 15) and defeated the Colonials (Feb. 16) again the following day thanks to a three-hit shutout on just 91 pitches