Dunne Sweeps National Softball Player of the Week Honors
4/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 7, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama sophomore pitcher Kelsi Dunne was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player of the Week and the USA Softball Player of the Week as announced by both organizations Tuesday. The honors are a career first for the righthander and the awards also mark the first of the season for a member of the Crimson Tide.
"This is a great honor but one that I would not be able to achieve without my teammates and coaches," Dunne said. "My teammates made great plays behind me all weekend and put me in position to be successful."
Dunne, who was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, collected all three wins against No. 6 Georgia on the weekend. In 13 innings pitched, she gave up one earned run, struck out 11, and allowed eight hits. She held the potent Georgia offense to a .190 average and posted a 0.54 ERA on the weekend. Dunne now has six wins against ranked opponents on the season.
After allowing a single run in the first game against the Bulldogs Dunne came back and earned the win by pitching an inning in relief in an extra inning thriller in the night cap. The righthander then came back and pitched a gem in the series finale, striking out 10 en route to the shutout.
Alabama will make up its rained out game against Samford this week on Wednesday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the UA Softball Complex. The Tide will continue SEC play against the Gamecocks in Columbia, S.C. for a three-game series beginning on Friday.
