Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball's Maria Damico Named MVC Player of the Week
02/28/2005 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Feb. 28, 2005
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Saluki senior outfielder Maria Damico earned her first Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week award on Monday. The award follows a record-tying weekend for the Gray Summit, Mo. native at the prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.
Damico led the Salukis to a 2-2 record with a .400 (4-for-10) average and tied a career, school and NFCA Leadoff Classic record for home runs in a game, when she hit two in SIU's 5-1 upset win over #15 Georgia Tech. Her second home run, and fourth by the team, allowed Southern Illinois to tie the NFCA Leadoff Classic team record of four homers in a game in the contest.
The Pacific High School graduate had two home runs, three RBI, two runs scored, 10 total bases, two walks and a 1.000 slugging percentage in four starts in centerfield. She led SIU in hits, RBIs, slugging and on base percentage and total bases at the tournament.
In addition to a 1.000 fielding percentage, she was 3-for-3 with three RBI against Georgia Tech and 1-for-2 with a walk and an assist at the plate versus South Carolina.
For the season, Damico is tied for the team-lead in runs scored (4), second in slugging percentage (.619) and home runs (2), third in total bases (13) and tied for fourth in hits (5). She is fifth among regulars with a .238 average.
Damico and her teammates will host SIU's home opener as part of the Kay Brechtelsbauer Southern Classic this weekend at West Stadium on March 5-6.
