Monday, April 04, 2005

SPARTANBURG, SC (April 4, 2005) -  The Southern Conference today named Maria Laurato of Georgia Southern as its Player of the Week, while East Tennessee State's Courtney Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) was selected as the Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 4.

Laurato, a sophomore from Gretna, LA, led Georgia Southern to a league series win over Appalachian State during the weekend. Laurato went a perfect three-for-three at the plate, adding two doubles and three RBI as the Eagles took game one, 5-2. In game two of the April 2 double-header, she went two-for-two with a double, a homerun and four RBI in the 8-0 win against Appalachian State, clinching the series win. Over the three games, Laurato hit .750, reaching base on eight-of-ten appearances at the plate.

Jenkins, posted a 3-1 record on the week pitching 17 innings while striking out seven batters in four games during the week. Her 0.41 ERA was a league low as she only allowed one earned run during her four-game span.

Also receiving consideration for Player of the Week were Appalachian State's Lindsay Glover, Berni Martinez from the College of Charleston, Brittany Whittier of Chattanooga, East Tennessee State's Briana Knight, Sadie Ball of Elon and Jennifer Bonilla from UNC Greensboro.

Other receiving consideration for Pitcher of the Week were Meredith O'Conner from Appalachian State, the College of Charleston's Natalie Smith, Lacey Swarthout of Chattanooga, Tiffany Urena from Georgia Southern and UNC Greensboro's Vanessa Oakes.