Monday, February 13, 2012

MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Softball Player of the Week, Mariah Reynolds hit a grand slam at the top of the seventh inning to give North Florida the advantage and the win over Florida A&M. USC Upstate's Hannah Alexander earned Pitcher of the Week Honors after putting up a three-game shutout to give the Spartans a 3-0 start to the season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Mariah Reynolds, North Florida (DP – So. – Auburndale, Fla. – Sport Management)
• First Career A-Sun Player of the Week award
• Led the Ospreys with a .600 batting average; tied for second-best in the A-Sun
• Hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning against Florida A&M
• Went 3-for-4 in the Ospreys comeback victory over Ohio State
• Led the Ospreys to a 4-1 record on opening weekend

OTHER NOMINEES:
• Jessica Cross (Pitcher/DP., Kennesaw State) – Went 6-for-10 at the plate while tossing a three-hit shutout, helping the Owls to a 3-0 week
• Alex Everett (OF., ETSU) – Had six hits in the Georgia State First Pitch Classic
• Chelsey Trotto (SS, Stetson) – Opened the season with two hits and a steal in Friday's win over South Dakota
• Emily Lanier (Catcher, FGCU) – Hit a two-run homer against tournament host USF
• Cheyenne Griffin (1B, USC Upstate) – Finished the week with a .625 batting average and hit a home run against St. Bonaventure
• Kirbie Ferrell (INF, Belmont) – Made her first career start against Arkansas and went 2-2 in stolen bases
• Mollie Mitchell (Catcher, Lipscomb) – Led the Bison with a .364 batting average and two runs scored

PITCHER OF THE WEEK:
Hannah Alexander, USC Upstate (So. – Lexington, N.C. – Physical Education)
• First Career A-Sun Pitcher of the Week
• Led Upstate to a 3-0 week with a 0.00 ERA; earning all three victories
• Began with a one-hit shutout of Detroit, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
• Struck out a career-high 12 batters to earn a shutout against Ohio, who scored 37 runs in their last three games

OTHER NOMINEES:
• Shelby Morgan (Fr., FGCU) – Went 1-1 in the tournament, losing only to No. 2 Florida
• Courtney Brandt (Fr., Stetson) – Went 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA and allowed just one earned run in 14 innings
• Abbey Mixon (Jr., Kennesaw State) – Struck out 14 hitters in seven innings and helped the Owls to a 3-0 week
• Emily Lanier (So., FGCU) – Hit a two-run homer against tournament host USF