BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU outfielder/pitcher Kirsten Shortridge notched SEC Player of the Week accolades Monday as announced by the league office. It marks Shortridge’s first career weekly award from the conference.
Shortridge went 8-for-11 at the plate sparked by multi-hit performances in all three games of LSU’s weekend sweep at South Carolina. She compiled a .727 batting average to raise her season clip by 43 points to .420 into the SEC’s Top 10.
“Kirsten had a fabulous opening SEC weekend as her stats prove. In my 34 years of coaching, she is one of the most special athletes I’ve been blessed to coach,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “There are times when Kirsten looks like a woman amongst girls with the skills God has given her. This is a great honor for a senior who is very, very important to LSU softball reaching their team goals.”
A catalyst for the LSU offense from the leadoff spot, Shortridge also scored seven runs to move into fifth place on the league list. She also stole a base in each game to bring her season total to 23, which ranks second in the conference.
Shortridge, a Preseason All-SEC Team selection, saved a memorable 4-for-4 effort with four runs scored for the series finale. The four hits matched a career-high, while the four runs scored equaled a program single-game record as LSU (21-4, 3-0 SEC) pushed its league-best winning streak to 16 games.
The Tigers continue SEC action with a Wednesday doubleheader against Ole Miss. Both games will be broadcasted live on ESPN Radio 104.5 and The X 104.9 FM in the Baton Rouge area with Patrick Wright and Kent Lowe set to call the action.
Live stats also are available in the Geaux Zone on LSUSports.net along with live in-game updates via www.twitter.com/lsu_softball.