Oregon redshirt freshman Jennifer Salling has been named the Pacific-10 Conference Softball Player of the Week for Feb. 20-26, Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen announced Tuesday.
Salling’s off-the-charts .722 batting average for the week headlined a 4-for-4 effort against Siena College that included two triples, a home run and six runs driven in. Salling also recorded a .960 on-base percentage and three stolen bases.
“Coach said something to me right after the tournament, but I didn’t really expect to have it,” Salling said of the honor. “I thought I had a good weekend offensively and defensively, had some ups and downs but it was okay.”
With Salling hot at the plate, the Ducks offense has generated 42 runs over the last six games. Salling was responsible for knocking in 11 of those runs, while scoring eight. She also hit her third home run of the season on Saturday versus North Dakota State.
“It’s a very well deserved honor for her,” Oregon coach Kathy Arendsen said. “I believe she should be national player of the week.
“When you’re hitting .720-something for six games and 11 RBIs, she really just stepped up, we’re real proud of her and she’s a strong ball player, and she’s going to be a key part of this team for the next four years.”
Arendsen said Salling’s summer spent playing club softball has made a difference in her game this season.
“It’s made her stronger, more confident and better prepared,” Arendsen said.