University of Tennessee Athletics
ABBOTT CHOSEN AS USA SOFTBALL NATIONAL COLLEGIATE PLAYER, LADY VOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
February 20, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 20, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - For the fourth time in her illustrious career in the Orange & White, Tennessee senior pitcher Monica Abbott has been chosen as the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week following her impressive weekend performance at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. She was also tabbed as the Lady Vol Athlete of the Week in a Tuesday vote by the Tennessee media relations staff.
The Salinas, Calif., native was 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three shutouts, two no-hitters and 56 strikeouts in just 22 innings in the circle. She has now amassed 100 strikeouts in just eight appearances while holding opponents to a miniscule .024 batting average.
"Thanks to USA Softball for giving me this wonderful honor," Tennessee senior pitcher Monica Abbott said on Tuesday. "I am extremely excited about how well our team has been playing so far this year, and I look forward to seeing what this group can do throughout the rest of the season. Our team's having a lot of fun playing softball right now. This honor belongs not just to me, but to our entire team. These awards are just a reflection of the amazing effort shown by everyone in practice and on the field each day."
In the four games in which she appeared at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, Abbott gave up just two total hits and no earned runs. She tossed her 18th and 19th career no-hitters in victories over Florida International (8-0 in five inn.) and Cal State Northridge (9-0) that included 12 and 19 strikeouts, respectively. Against Illinois the 6-3 lefthander allowed only one base knock while striking out 17 in a complete game effort. She K'ed the side 14 times in 22 innings of work this past weekend for an average of 17.8 strikeouts per seven innings. She has now struck out the side a staggering 25 times in 39 total frames of work in 2007.
"Monica had a phenomenal week, one of the best weeks I've ever seen a pitcher have in my coaching career," Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly said. "She was in total command of her pitches and has really elevated her game to begin her senior season. This is a great honor for both Monica and our entire program."
Abbott received the national award from USA Softball on three previous occasions: Feb. 10, 2004; Feb. 14, 2005; and March 21, 2006.
No. 1 Tennessee will return to the diamond for a single match-up against Cal-State Fullerton on Wed., Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. PT before venturing to the prestigious Palm Springs Classic over Feb. 22-24 to conclude its marathon 11-day road trip. Live stats will be available when possible through utladyvols.com and, as always, periodic updates will be provided on the Lady Vol Hotline at 865-974-8700 (box #6).
