Fresno State Athletics
Southern Named NFCA Leadoff Classic Most Valuable Player
2/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 27, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Senior All-American Jamie Southern was named the Most Valuable Player of the 10th NFCA Leadoff Classic after being an offensive juggernaut as well as leading Fresno State to two victories in the circle as well.
In addition, junior All-American Christina Clark also was honored as she was named to the 15-member all-tournament team.
This is Fresno State's first MVP honor at the NFCA Leadoff Classic while several Bulldogs have collected all-tourney honors in the past.
On the weekend, Southern batted .500 (6-12) with five runs, four home runs, seven RBI, three walks and 18 total bases for a 1.500 slugging percentage.
In the circle, she went 2-1 with a shutout while allowing four runs (two earned) on 14 hits with two walks and 26 strikeouts in 20.0 innings pitched for a 0.70 ERA.
Southern opened tournament play with a three-hitter against Seton Hall. Walking one and fanning eight Pirates, she improved to 2-0 on the season while posting her 62nd career shutout. At the plate, Southern connected for her first home run of the year with a two-run home run in the first inning as Fresno State won 6-0.
In the Bulldogs' second game of pool play against Texas State, Southern posted a three-hit game after going 3-4 with two runs and two RBI while hitting her second home run in as many games. The long ball was again a two-run shot in the first inning as the 'Dogs won 8-1.
As the starting pitcher against No. 10 LSU, she gave up two runs (unearned) on five hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts to improve to 3-0 on the year. The 10-strikeout game was her 44th of the year while the victory was Southern's 93rd of her career to move her into a tie for third place on the school's all-time win list. At the plate, Southern smashed two more home runs as she notched her fourth career multi home run game against the Tigers. With another two-run home run in the first to go along with a solo shot in the sixth, she went 2-2 with two runs and three RBI in Fresno State's 5-2 win. The Bulldogs automatically advanced to the gold medal bracket after winning their pool with a 3-0 mark.
As the starter in the circle against No. 21 Florida State, Southern scattered five hits while two unearned runs came across in the Bulldogs' 2-0 loss. She also walked one and struck out eight as she suffered her first loss on the season.
For Clark, she batted .333 (5-15) with six runs, a double, two home runs, three RBI, a walk and 12 total bases for a .800 slugging percentage. With 41 career home runs to her credit, Clark smacked home runs against Seton Hall and Texas State.
In addition, the Bulldogs' career home run leader had a 17-game hit streak come to an end. Dating back to April 29, 2004, Clark's hit streak ranks No. 5 all-time at Fresno State. In this streak she batted .422 (27-64) with 23 runs, six doubles, a triple, eight home runs, eight walks, 17 RBI and 59 total bases for a .922 slugging percentage. Clark also moved up the school's career charts in runs (No. 9, 125) as she surpassed RaeAnn Pifferini (120).
