@MizzouSoftball’s Rylee Pierce Named SEC Player of the Week
4/17/2018 12:24:00 PM | Softball
Pierce earns second career SEC Player of the Week honor
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball junior 1B Rylee Pierce (Visalia, California) was named the Week 10 Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, announced Tuesday (April 17) by the league office.
Junior 1B @ryleepierce has been named the Week 10 SEC Player of the Week!
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 17, 2018
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Tuesday's honor marks Pierce's second career Player of the Week recognition by the SEC. Her first accolade occurred after a sensational NCAA debut at the Citrus Classic (Feb. 15-21, 2016), as she hit .476 with 10 runs scored, 10 hits, two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI and two stolen bases.
Pierce was Mizzou's leading producer at the plate over the team's recent perfect 3-0 week, highlighted by a two-game series sweep over No. 8 Auburn (April 13-14). Mizzou secured its first SEC series victory this year, while tallying its first series triumph over a nationally ranked top 10 opponent since a season ago versus No. 9 Alabama (March 31 – April 2, 2017).
The Tiger first baseman led Mizzou this past week in hits (five), doubles (two), RBI (five), total bases (10), slugging percentage (1.250), on-base percentage (.750) and OPS (2.000). Pierce reached base in nine of 12 plate appearances while striking out zero times.
Pierce opened the week with a perfect 3-for-3 day against Omaha, marking her fifth three-hit performance this year. She continued her production versus No. 8 Auburn, launching a key late two-run home run to help secure Mizzou's victory Saturday. Pierce is currently riding a six-game hitting streak with three multi-hit outings over that span.
In SEC only play this season, Pierce ranks tied for fifth in hits (17) and tied for ninth in total bases (26). Overall this year, her .484 on-base percentage (ninth), 10 doubles (tied for 10th) and 49 hits (tied for 11th) all rank among the conference's elite.
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