Posted: Apr 21, 2014

Seahawk OFs win CCC weekly awards

Salve Regina outfielders Sara Nelson and Lexi Soucie were awarded the CCC Player and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) has selected Salve Regina University senior outfielder Sara Nelson (Bristol, Conn.) as its Player of the Week, and freshman outfielder Lexi Soucie (No. Easton, Mass.) as its Rookie of the Week for softball (April 14-20).

Player of the Week - Nelson batted .714 (five for seven) in a doubleheader sweep at Roger Williams. The Bristol, Conn., native felt right at home in Bristol, R.I., as she belted a homerun in each game. Five runs batted in during a 7-2 win in Game One with three coming on a fifth-inning homerun; a solo shot in the fourth inning of Game Two ignited a three-run rally for the Seahawks that tied the score before a five-run fifth inning led to a 12-7 triumph. Nelson now leads the Seahawks with four homeruns on the season.

Rookie of the Week - Soucie collected five hits in nine at bats (.556) in the two games against the Hawks. Four of her five hits went for extra bases as she now ranks second in the league in extra base hits (12 doubles, two triples, two homeruns). From her leadoff spot in the order, Soucie scored four runs in the doubleheader and drove in two for the Seahawks.

"Sara has been hitting the ball really well as of late," says Salve Regina head coach Jessica DePolito. "She's been very selective in the batter's box and going after pitches she can drive. Lexi has also been more disciplined at the plate, setting the tone right off the bat as the leadoff hitter. She's been doing very well for us defensively in centerfield, very solid."

Salve Regina (16-14; 13-3 CCC) hosts Endicott College (20-7-1; 12-2 CCC) at Toppa Field today (4 p.m.) in a doubleheader that will determine first place in the postseason seedings. Both games will be broadcast on the Seahawk softball Ustream.tv channel (http://bit.ly/XdbZZp).