March 4, 2008

Columbia, Mo. - Missouri softball player Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) was named Big 12 Player of the Week as announced today by the league office. Taylor's honor is the first of her young career and the first for Missouri since current senior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) received the honor May 2, 2006. In addition, Taylor also becomes the first freshman of the 2008 campaign to be awarded the weekly accolade.

An outfielder, Taylor helped the Tigers to seven wins last week as she went 14-for-25 at the plate (.560), scored 11 of Missouri's 49 runs and notched a .640 slugging percentage and .577 on-base percentage. Even more impressive than Taylor's on-base percentage was her ability to steal against her opponents. The leadoff batter finished the week 12-of-12 on stolen bases and is now 23-of-24 on the season. Taylor has recorded nearly half of Missouri's conference-leading 57 stolen bases this season,

Taylor and her Tiger teammates will travel to Tampa, Fla., to compete in the University of South Florida (USF) Under Armour Tournament, beginning Thursday, March 6. Missouri will take on UTC beginning at 8:30 a.m. (CT) followed by Central Michigan at 11 a.m. (CT).

2008 BIG 12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 12 -- Amber Flores, Oklahoma, So., OF
Feb. 19 -- Jordan Daniels, Baylor, Sr., 1B/DP
Feb. 25 -- Tallie Thrasher, Texas, So., DP
March 4 --Rhea Taylor, Missouri, Fr., CF

2008 BIG 12 PITCHERS OF THE WEEK

Feb. 12 -- D.J. Mathis, Oklahoma, Jr. , LHP
Feb. 19 -- Megan Gibson, Texas A&M, Sr., 1B/P
Feb. 25 -- D.J. Mathis, Oklahoma, Jr., LHP
March 4 --Megan Gibson, Texas A&M, Sr., 1B/P