April 26, 2010
IRVING, Texas -
UCF took two of three games from Tulsa to climb into second place in the Conference USA softball standings. Saturday's doubleheader featured two extra-inning affairs that were split by the two schools. The decisive rubber match would be won by the Knights, 2-1, on Senior Day at the UCF Softball Complex.
C-USA Softball Notebook No. 14
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Gabby Luciani, Southern Miss
P, Fr., Peoria, Ariz. (Centennial)
Luciani recorded two wins during the week, including a 6-0 shutout against Marshall in game one of the three-game series. The freshman's encore was an 8-2 victory over the Thundering Herd in a nationally-televised game two of the series. Luciani finished the week with a 1.00 ERA while putting in 14.0 innings of work in the circle where she recorded nine strikeouts. This is her first Pitcher of the Week honor of her career.
HITTER OF THE WEEK
Kayla Orr, UAB
SS, RS-So., Hartselle, Ala. (Hartselle)
Orr batted .526 and produced a 1.211 slugging percentage over six games for UAB last week. The sophomore went 10-for-19 with eight runs, four home runs and eight RBI. The highlight of the Hartselle, Ala., product's week came in a 3-for-4 performance with two runs scored and four RBI in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against UTEP. Orr blasted homers in each game of last weekend's three-game series against UTEP and now has eight for the season. This is the first Hitter of the Week honor of her career.
DIAMOND STARS
Each week, teams have individuals who shine both at the plate and in the circle and this is where those efforts will be highlighted throughout the season.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES AT THE PLATE
Taylor Thompson - Marshall
Thompson hit at an .833 clip, going 5-for-6 including a triple. The freshman outfielder had a team-best 1.167 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .833.
Lauren Castellvi - Southern Miss
Castellvi finished the weekend with a .500 batting average with three doubles and a run batted in. In the opening game against Marshall, Castellvi singled and scored a run, while in game two she went 1-for-1 at the dish with a run and RBI. She finished with an .875 slugging percentage and .636 on-base percentage.
Kayla Orr - UAB
Orr batted .526 and recorded a 1.211 slugging percentage in six games for the Blazers. The sophomore went 10-of-19 with eight runs, four home runs and eight RBI. Orr blasted homers in each game of last weekend's matchup against UTEP and now has eight for the season.
Tiffany Lane - UCF
Lane helped the Knights to a 3-1 record last week after batting .400 with six hits, a double, four runs scored and one stolen base. The leadoff batter scored the game-winning run in UCF's nightcap win over Tulsa Saturday.
Courtney Ware - UTEP
Ware batted .625 (5-of-8), while driving in five RBI in UTEP's series against UAB. The sophomore slugged .875 for the three-game set, and had an on-base percentage of .600. She was responsible for six of the Miners' 16 runs in UTEP's 2-1 series win.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES IN THE CIRCLE
Katie Murphree - Marshall
Murphree made three starts for the Herd against Southern Miss over the weekend. She struck out 13 batters ,including eight in the series finale. She leads the MU pitching staff with a 2.63 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 186.1 innings of work.
Gabby Luciani - Southern Miss
Luciani recorded two wins during the week, including a 6-0 shutout against Marshall in game one of the series where she just allowed just three hits. The freshman finished the seven-day stretch with a 1.00 ERA while working 14.0 innings and striking out nine.
Ashleigh Cole - UCF
Cole helped the Knights to a series win over Tulsa after posting a 0.44 ERA in two starts. The senior allowed only one earned run on 10 hits, while also striking out six batters.
Stacie Townsend - UTEP
Townsend struck out 15 batters in UTEP's series with UAB, capturing both of the Miners' victories. The senior opened the weekend with a nine-K performance against the Blazers to lead the Miners to a 5-3 complete-game win.
