After a perfect 5-0 weekend on the diamond, two Middle Tennessee softball players have been named athletes of the week, the conference office announced on Monday. Lexi Cushing earned Player of the Week while Cori Jennings earned Co-Pitcher of the Week.
Cushing went 8-for-12 (.667) with six runs scored, four walks, four RBI, a double and two home runs. She also had a staggering 1.250 slugging percentage and .750 on base percentage. Cushing also recorded 15 total bases and a stolen base.
Cushing started all five games for the Blue Raiders at either first base or as the designated player. This is first C-USA Player of the Week honor, she earned one Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week in 2017.
“Lexi had a great week for us, of course her numbers were huge,” said Head Coach Jeff Breeden. “She hit the ball hard all weekend long. She had only one strikeout to four walks, so Lexi showed a lot of patience at the plate. She has really picked up her game from her freshman year to now her sophomore year and we’re expecting big things from her and think that her power numbers will be huge as the year goes on. This is a great reward for all the hard work she did in the offseason.”
In the circle, Jennings recorded MT’s first no hitter since the 2010 season. She threw the complete game shutout of UT-Martin to earn the award. Jennings had five strikeouts and just two walks in a 3-0 win over the Skyhawks.
Earlier on the weekend, Jennings earned another win as she threw six innings against Fort Wayne, striking out three. She had a 1.08 ERA during the five-game tournament.
“Cori came off of surgery and has only been throwing about a month now and is probably ahead of schedule a little bit,” Breeden said. “Of course, a no hitter is great and as a left-handed pitcher, she causes people trouble. She was our number one pitcher last year and we look for her do the same this year. This is a great honor for Cori in the second weekend of the season.”
Cushing, Jennings and the rest of the Blue Raiders will return to action this weekend at the EMU Madeira Beach Spring Invitational II in Madeira Beach, Fla.
