Amy Hooks (Texas) has been named Big 12 Softball Player of the Week while Blaire Luna (Texas) and Chelsea Thomas (Missouri) were named Pitchers of the Week for games of April 4-10. This is the first accolade for Hooks this season and second in her career (2/24/09). For Luna, it is the third this season and seventh overall while Thomas earns her third this season and fourth of her career.
Player of the Week
Amy Hooks, Texas, Sr., Outfielder, Mesquite, Texas/North Mesquite
Hooks shined for Texas' offense last week, pacing the Big 12-leading Longhorns to three victories over ranked opponents. The Mesquite, Texas-native led the Longhorns with her .500 batting average, 1.000 slugging percentage and her .636 on-base percentage. Hooks recorded Texas' only two hits in a 1-0 victory over No. 11 Nebraska including the game-winning solo homer in the seventh inning. She also stole home to clinch the 4-3 victory for the Longhorns in game two against the Huskers.
Pitchers of the Week
Blaire Luna, Texas, So., Austin, Texas/Bowie
The sophomore righthander headlined the Texas pitching staff last week notching two victories in three appearances against ranked opponents. She allowed just three runs in 19.0 innings, holding opponents to a .125 batting average, while striking out 26 batters. Against No. 11 Nebraska she notched her Big 12-best 11th complete-game shutout of the season.
Chelsea Thomas, Missouri, So., Pleasantville, Iowa/Pleasantville
Thomas got the win in game two of a doubleheader against Evansville on Wednesday, throwing four of the five innings in Missouri's 9-1 victory. She allowed only one hit, didn't walk a single batter, and struck out six. She opened up with a complete-game victory against No. 17 Texas A&M on Saturday, scattering five hits, walking four and striking out eight while giving up three earned runs. The Pleasantville, Iowa native followed that up with a dominating performance on Sunday, tossing a complete-game shutout where she allowed just four hits and walked one while striking out nine.
2011 BIG 12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 15: Jessica Shults, Oklahoma, So., C
Feb. 22: Taylor Edwards, Nebraska, Fr. C
March 1: Logan Hall, Texas Tech, Jr. INF
March 8: Cydney Allen, Texas Tech, Jr., C
March 15: Sandy James, Texas Tech, So., INF
March 22: Dani Dobbs, Oklahoma, Sr., INF
March 29: Chelsea Garcia, Oklahoma State, Jr., INF
April 5: Lexy Bennett, Texas, Jr., INF
April 12: Amy Hooks, Texas, Sr., OF
2011 BIG 12 PITCHERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 15: Keilani Ricketts, Oklahoma, So.
Feb. 22: Blaire Luna, Texas, So.
March 1: Kat Espinosa, Oklahoma State, So.
March 8: Chelsea Thomas, Missouri, So.
March 15: Whitney Canion, Baylor, So.
March 22: Blaire Luna, Texas, So.
March 29: Chelsea Thomas, Missouri, So.
April 5: Ashley Hagemann, Nebraska, Jr.
April 12: Blaire Luna, Texas, So.
Chelsea Thomas, Missouri, So.