NEW ORLEANS – University of South Alabama freshman outfielder Victoria Ortiz was named the Community Coffee Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday afternoon after an outstanding performance at the plate against ULM over the weekend.
Ortiz'a player of the week selection – the first of her career – marks the 18th offensive player honor and the 41st total conference weekly award selection in program history. It is also the second time this spring that a Jaguar player has received the honor as Brittani Reid was also named the league's offensive player of the week back on Feb. 26.
Ortiz continued her hot hitting against ULM over the weekend as she was 7-for-11 (.636) at the plate. Of her seven hits, six were for extra bases – three doubles and three home runs. Ortiz also scored six runs, drove in five and recorded 19 total bases, to go along with a 1.727 slugging percentage.
Ortiz got her series off to a hot start as she recorded a multi-hit game in the opener with two hits in her four at-bats. The right fielder also scored twice and drove in a pair. Her two-run home run in the second of game one of the series capped off a seven-run inning for the Jaguars. Ortiz was 1-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI in game one of Saturday's doubleheader. Her second-inning bases-loaded walk broke a 1-1 tie and was part of a seven-run inning for the Jaguars.
In the series finale, Ortiz was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and two RBI. Three of her four hits in that contest went for extra bases as she picked up her 14th double of the season and hit her fifth and sixth home runs. Both of her home runs led off an inning and with the two-home run performance, Ortiz became the 17th player in program history to record multiple home runs in the same outing. She has now homered in three of her last four games dating back to the Georgia State series.
Ortiz now ranks second on the club with a .355 average and along with her 14 doubles, her 12 multi-hit outings are second-most on the Jag roster. The 14 doubles this spring by Ortiz tied the freshman mark at South set by Blair Johnson during the 2012 season.
In conference play, Ortiz holds the highest batting average (.395) on the team and 15 of her 20 extra-base hits have come against Sun Belt competition.
South Alabama (15-28, 5-17 SBC) open up a four-game home stand tomorrow night as the Jaguars welcome McNeese State to Jaguar Field. First pitch versus the Cowgirls is set for 6 p.m.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSout_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear. All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.
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