LOUISIANA - Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) and Melissa Verde (Beaumont, Texas) were honored by the Sun Belt Conference as the Pitcher and Player of the Week after leading Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team to a perfect 3-0 record over the weekend.

The award marks the first Pitcher of the Week honor for Brignac; while it is the second time in Verde’s career she has earned the accolade. Verde was Player of the Week on Apr. 23, 2007.

Brignac was a perfect 2-0 in her Cajuns' debut in the circle. She threw two complete games including a shutout. The Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year did not allow an earned run in two games. Brignac tossed 12.0 innings allowing just four hits with an opponent batting average of .098. She struck out 23 batters of the 46 batters she faced in two games.

In her first outing, Brignac struck out eight of the first 10 batters she faced and finished the game with 10 strikeouts. She allowed just one hit (a single) and did not allow a walk in her first game.

In her second game, the freshman recorded 13 strikeouts, which was the most by any Cajuns pitcher since Ashley Kirchberg (2005-06) recorded 13 K's at Nicholls State on Apr. 26, 2006.

Verde helped the Ragin' Cajuns to a 3-0 record on the week. She hit a team-high .625 over the weekend finishing the Louisiana Tech Invitational 5-for-8. Of her five hits, four were extra base hits including a team-best three doubles and one triple. Verde scored four runs and drove in five RBI at the leadoff position. The sophomore third baseman walked four times and reached base 10 times out of 12 plate appearances. Verde boasted a 1.250 slugging percentage with a .750 on-base percentage. She also had a perfect fielding percentage in nine attempts at third base.

RaginCajuns.com

Chris Whitehead