Oregon's Salling Named Pac-10 Softball Player of the Week

Saturday, Salling was a perfect 3-for-3, all singles, with an RBI as the Ducks shutout the Cardinal, 8-0.

Jenn Salling was named Pac-10 Softball Player of the Week after leading No. 12 Oregon to a 2-1 conference start. Photo: goducks.com

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Oregon freshman Jenn Salling has been named the Pac-10 Softball Player of the Week for Mar. 27th-Apr. 2nd, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.

Salling was all over the basepaths for the 12th-ranked Ducks last week, playing a major part in Oregon’s 2-1 start to Pac-10 play.

Salling had at least one hit and an RBI in all three games, as Oregon defeated California and split a pair of home games vs. No. 12 Stanford.

In Friday’s conference opener, a 4-3 victory over Cal, Salling’s sacrifice fly scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. She was 1-for-2 on the day with one RBI and a walk.

Saturday, Salling was a perfect 3-for-3, all singles, with an RBI as the Ducks shutout the Cardinal, 8-0.

Salling, a native of Port Coquitlam, B.C., reached safely in all three plate appearances again on Sunday, despite a 15-4 setback to Stanford. She contributed an RBI single and later scored a run, going 2-for-2 with a walk.

Overall, Salling batted .857 (6-for-7) with a run and three RBIs. She had an on-base percentage of .800 and slugged .857. The shortstop also was perfect in the field, leading the team with 11 assists and turning two double plays.

Salling, who redshirted the 2006 season, is one of the main reasons the Ducks are currently tied for first in the Pac-10 at 2-1 and own the best overall record at 36-4. Salling leads the Pac-10 with a .524 batting average and 54 RBI, and ranks second in slugging (.905), on-base percentages (.597), and triples (5).

Oregon remains home at Howe Field this week with two games on tap against No. 18 Oregon State on Friday at 3:00 PM and Saturday at 1:00 PM.

This is the second Player of the Week honor for Salling this season, and the 29th Player/Pitcher of the Week all-time for Oregon.

Last week, Oregon sophomore Melissa Rice was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week.

ALSO NOMINATED: Kristie Fox, ARIZ; Kaitlin Cochran, ASU; Stefanie Ewing, OSU; Alissa Haber, STAN.

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