Photo Courtesy of Houston Athletics
After dueling in the second weekend of conference play, Houston and Louisville each saw players earn their first American Athletic Conference Weekly Awards. Cougar senior Kendra Cullum was named Player of the Week, while freshman ace Maryssa Becker of Louisville earned Pitcher of the Week honors.
Cullum propelled Houston to a three-game sweep of Louisville as the Cougars climbed to 19-10 overall and 6-0 in The American. At the plate, the leftfielder went 5-for-10 while scoring two runs and knocking in three RBIs, including two in the Cougars’ 8-5 Sunday win. She also tied her career high for stolen bases twice on the weekend, pilfering two in Saturday’s first game and again on Sunday. Cullum also continues to set records in the hit-by-pitch category as she currently ranks second in NCAA career history with 77 HBP, two of which came against the Cardinals.
Becker picked up two career performances against DePaul last week, earning both wins of the Cardinals’ doubleheader against the Blue Demons. She led Louisville to an 8-0 run-rule victory in March 26’s first game, and held DePaul scoreless in 7.0 innings of relief in game two’s 7-3 win. For the Cardinals’ five-game week, Becker fanned 18 in 19.2 innings and upped her record to 8-2.
Honor Roll
Mariah Garcia, UCF, So., OF
Garcia was responsible for four of the Knights six RBIs in Wednesday’s 10-6 loss to No. 4/4 Florida, including a two-run double in the first inning.
Lexi Gifford, UConn, So., SS
Gifford helped UConn snap a 10-game losing streak, going 3-for-6 with four RBIs and a three-run homer in the Huskies’ two weekend wins over Memphis.
Diedre Outon, Houston, Sr., P
Outon was an all-around performer, earning two wins in the circle and blasting two solo shots as a DH in Sunday’s victory over Louisville.
Haley Outon, Houston, Sr., C
Diedre’s twin sister Haley also went yard against the Cardinals, connecting for her fourth-career grand slam in the Cougars’ 6-5 Saturday win.
Brittany Duncan, Louisville, Jr., 1B/DH
Duncan had a .400 (6-for-15) week, including a three-hit, four RBI campaign in Louisville’s 7-3 win over DePaul.
