April 21, 2008

IRVING, Texas - Senior Samantha Rodriguez was named the Conference USA Co-Hitter of the Week for her performances during Morehead State and Southern Miss, as announced by the conference office.

"Sam has been an instrumental tool for our recent success," Marshall Head Coach Shonda Stanton said. "It's always nice to see a player get recognized for her talents when she works as hard as Sam does."

Rodriguez went 11-for-19 in five games to guide the Herd to a 4-1 record. Rodriguez was a member of the Marshall group that hit back-to-back-to-back home runs, a first in program histroy, to defeat Morehead State, 3-1 in game one of the nonconference doubleheader. She recorded the game-tying RBI single in the doubleheader finale against the Eagles, which led to a 5-4 win over MSU.

During the three-game series against Southern Miss, Rodriguez hit first inning home runs during the first two games of the series. In the rubber match against the Golden Eagles, the Oakley, Calif., went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to secure the 5-2 victory.

Rodriguez finished the week with seven RBIs, three doubles and four runs scored. The weekly award is the first of the season for Rodriguez and second of her career. She joins sluggers Kelly Nielson and Rachel Folden and pitcher Caitlyn Jackson as weekly winners.

Houston's Jessica Valis shared the Hitter of the Week Award with Rodriguez, while UCF's Allison Kime was named the Pitcher of the Week.