Softball takes home NEC weekly awards
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After recording a 6-1 mark over the past seven days with signature wins over Long Island, Central Connecticut and Boston College, the Bryant University softball team swept this week's conference awards. Sophomore righty Jennifer Jacob (Deer Park, N.Y.) was named Akadema Player and Pitcher of the Week while freshman Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calif.) scooped up Rookie of the Week honors announced by the league Monday evening.
The Bulldogs, who swept LIU and Central Connecticut this past weekend to move to 14-4 in league play, currently sit alone in first place in the latest NEC standings. These distinctions mark the first time the Bulldogs picked up pitcher of the week honors, but the second for player and the fourth for rookie of the week.
Jacobs earns both Akadema/NEC Player and Pitcher of the Week for her work in the circle. The sophomore snagged two wins in two starts and provided a pair of successful relief efforts, earning two saves. She generated a remarkable 0.00 ERA in 14.0 innings pitched while tossing 13 strikeouts. Jacob, who picked up her first save in the second half of Monday's doubleheader against Mount St. Mary's, came up huge for the Bulldogs against Boston College on Wednesday. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jacob ended the Eagles' threat in the bottom of the seventh by delivering a game-ending strikeout.
Guy takes home Akadema/NEC Rookie of the Week as she thrived in the Bulldog's lead-off spot. The outfielder accounted for eight of Bryant's 46 runs and posting .500 on-base percentage. The lefty recorded a team-best 12 hits, .444 batting average, and .704 slugging percentage during the seven-game stretch. Guy, who registered at least one hit in the first six games of the past week, turned it up in conference play with 11-for-23 performance at bat, plating five and knocking seven runs. The rookie went 12-for-27 overall and recorded 19 total bases in the past seven days.
The Bulldogs return to action Tuesday afternoon with a non-league tilt against Big East contender Connecticut. First pitch is slated at 3:30 p.m. and fans can follow live stats at www.bryantbulldogs.com.