April 2, 2012

by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kristen Struett became the first Gamecock to pick up a weekly award for the softball team this season, as she was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office released today.

Struett picked up two wins in the circle in her first two starts of the year. She tossed a complete game in the 12-2 win in five innings at Winthrop, while she got the victory in the 12-5 win in game two against Longwood, scattering five hits in 4.2 innings of work.

She also shined at the plate, starting and picking up a hit in all three games in the lineup. At Winthrop, she launched her first career home run to help put the game out of reach. She went 2-for-3 in the first game against Longwood and scored a run in a 1-for-2 effort in game two against the Lancers.

The 10th Freshman of the Week certificate for South Carolina softball since the award’s inception in 2006, Struett is the eighth to claim an award. Last season, Julie Sarratt won it three times, while Dana Hathorn took home one.

Alabama took the other two awards this week, with Kaila Hunt taking the player of the week and Jackie Traina claiming the pitcher of the week.

South Carolina returns to the field on Friday at Kentucky to start an eight-game road trip.