May 5, 2008

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com

ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Valley Conference announced senior first baseman Lauren Haas as the State Farm MVC Softball Player of the Week on Monday, May 5.

Haas (Bremerton, Wash./Olympic) went 10-for-15 (.667) with six runs batted in, four runs scored, four walks, three doubles and a home run to lead the Salukis to a 4-1 record in their five games. She also recorded a hit in every contest to extend her hit streak to a career-high 10 games.

Haas started the week with a 2-for-5 performance in a doubleheader at Illinois, and hit 8-for-10 in three games to wrap up the week at Bradley. She opened the weekend series against the Braves 4-for-4, which tied her career-high for hits, and followed with a 2-for-3 effort in the doubleheader nightcap with a pair of doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.

The Bremerton, Wash. native concluded the stellar week with another 2-for-3 game with a three-run home run, and four RBI in the series finale. Haas moved into a tie for third place all-time for career home runs with 24, and also climbed into fifth place for career doubles (33), and seventh place for career RBI (102).

This is the fifth time a Saluki softball player has been honored with a weekly award by the league office this year. Sophomore Katie Wilson (Feb. 18), junior third baseman Katie Wagner (March 10 & 17) and freshman pitcher Nikki Waters (April 7) all were named player or pitcher of the week during the season.