College Softball 360 Primetime Performers #4 (2013)

March 7, 2013     Contact: Pete LaFleur (editor@collegesoftball360.com)

2013 Primetime Performers:  Week-1  |  Week-2  |  Week-3
… 
2012 Primetime – May 2  |  May 9

Oregon Junior Shortstop Courtney Ceo Headlines
CSB360 Week-4 Primetime Performers Honor Roll

Oregon junior shortstop Courtney Ceo (Meadow Vista, Calif.) leads the way on the CSB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll for the week of Feb. 25-March 3, 2013 (all eight honorees listed below), as the CSB360 National Primetime Player of the Week for the fourth week of play during the 2013 season.

(Scroll down for listing of all eight week-4 honorees, plus action photos and player info. capsules).

Courtney Ceo A230A veteran top-of-the-order batter for the Ducks, CEO (pictured at right) hit 12-for-19 (.632) during Citrus Clssic tournament action in Kissimmee, Fla., as the Ducks rattled off six wins that included a 5-inning rout of 11th-ranked LSU (10-2) and a 13-4 win over No. 14 Michigan. The Ducks shortstop factored into 13 of her team's runs while playing in five games during the busy week (five RBI, 10 runs, two home runs), reaching base 14 times (pair of walks) and adding four stolen bases (plus a sacrifice bunt).

Ceo opened the tournament with a 3-for-4 game in the showdown vs. fellow 2012 WCWS team LSU, with a stolen base and two runs scored. She went on to post consecutive 3-for-3 games in the 8-0 win over Boston College (RBI-R-HR-SB-SAC) and 11-4 result over Temple (2RBI-3R-2BB-SB). She tacked on her fourth straight multiple-hit game in the 6-inning win over Michigan (2-for-5; 2RBI-2R-HR-SB). Ceo closed the weekend with her 12th hit of the tournament and two more runs scored, in  12-1 win over (32/x) James Madison.

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Selection for the CollegeSoftball360 weekly awards is based on any/all of the following "primetime" criteria (i.e. not solely based on raw stats):

• Performed at a high level in a game/event that involves a team receiving votes in the preseason polls; or excelled in games that are key to the team's postseason qualification. Bonus given for all-around play (i.e. defense, execution, etc.). Note that conference races (even for teams outside the national polls) will be added to the Primetime Honor Roll later in the season.

• In general, preference is given based on the quality of the opponent, contribution to team success and situational factors involved in the competitor's accomplishments.

• Exhibited strong leadership and/or involved in clutch performances, such as gamewinning plays, noteworthy comebacks, late scores, momentum-shifting play, all-around performance, team spirit, etc.

• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).

• Bonus consideration is given for key performances away from team's home venue and/or against a traditional rival (and for historic performances, on a national level).


CSB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK #4
(week of Feb. 25-May 3 ... courtesy of CollegeSoftball360.com)

"It's not so much what you do, as it is when you do it."

MEGAN BLANK  (Iowa)  
– SS … So. … #3-hitter … bats: L  … Culver City, CA … #4

*COURTNEY CEO  (Oregon)
– SS … Jr. … bats: L … leadoff/#2 hitter … Meadow Vista, CA … #22 
LINSEY HAYS  (Baylor)
– (LF … So./Fr. … bats: L … #3/cleanup hitter … Brock, TX … #45) 
KATIE KELLER  (Louisville) 
 
–2B … Jr. … leadoff/#2-hitter … bats: R … Livermore, CA … #22

EMILY LOCKMAN  
(Nebraska)
– (RHP … Fr. … Corona, CA … #4) 
GABBY LUETY  
(Fordham)
– (C … Jr. … bats: R … #4/5/6 hitter … Cortland, NY … #41) 
NICOLE MORGAN  
(Texas A&M)
– (C … Jr. … bats: R … #3 hitter … The Woodlands, TX … #25) 
TESSA ZIEMBA  (Hofstra)
– (CF … Sr. … bats: : … #3/cleanup hitter … Wilmington, DE … #1) 

* – Ceo is the CSB360 National Primetime Player of the Week

All photos courtesy of the respective schools and their photography staffs.

Megan Blank throw 230

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MEGAN BLANK  (Iowa)
SS … So. … #3-hitter … bats: L
Culver City, CA … #4

Young leader of Hawkeyes program who also was named a Primetime Performer after opening week of the 2013 season … hit .429 (6-for-14) during first weekend of March, at Easton Invitational (Fullerton, Calif.) in her home state … factored into 12 of her team's runs (8 RBI, 5 R, HR) as Iowa went 4-0 in Fullerton, highlighted by 7-6 win over (16/15) Stanford and 9-3 vs. (24/28) Oregon State (with both of those opponents boasting strong pitching and recent hot streaks) … hit for the cycle in the tournament, with 13 total bases (HR, 3B, 2 2B) and eight times on-base (BB, HBP) … delivered 2-out single (on 1-2 pitch) to cap Iowa's 6-run top of the 2nd vs. Stanford (Cardinal had won 10 of previous 11 games) … lead factor in halting Oregon State's 12-game win streak, after batting 2-for-3 with 4 RBI (HR-2R-2B-BB) … went on to bat 2-for-3 in 7-0 win over host Titans (RBI-2R-2B-HBP) before adding another RBI and a triple in 5-3 victory over Cal State Bakersfield … made only one error on 26 fielding chances during the tournament … leads team with .379 batting avg. and 22 RBI (12 R, 4 HR, 5 BB, 3 HBP) … first team all-Big Ten performer as a freshman in 2012 … product of Marymount High School in southern California, also playing for the Strike Force and Victory USA club programs. 

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Courtney Ceo A230

COURTNEY CEO  (Oregon)
SS … Jr. … bats: L … leadoff/#2 hitter Meadow Vista, CA … #22

Veteran top-of-the-order batter who hit 12-for-19 (.632) during tournament action in Kissimmee, Fla., as Ducks rattled off six wins that included 5-inning rout of (11) LSU (10-2) and 13-4 win over (14) Michigan … factored into 13 of her team's runs while playing in five games during the busy week (5 RBI, 10 R, 2 HR), reaching base 14 times (2 walks) and adding four stolen bases (plus a sacrifice bunt) … opened the tournament with 3-for-4 game in showdown vs. fellow 2012 WCWS team LSU (2R, SB) … did not play in win over LIU Brooklyn before consecutive 3-for-3 games in 8-0 win over Boston College (RBI-R-HR-SB-SAC) and 11-4 result over Temple (2RBI-3R-2BB-SB) … tacked on her fourth straight multiple-hit game in 6-inning win over Michigan (2-for-5; 2RBI-2R-HR-SB) … closed weekend with her 12th hit of the tournament and two more runs scored, in 12-1 win over (32/x) James Madison … leads Oregon regulars with .471 batting avg. and 26 runs (14RBI-3HR-5BB-10SB) … an NFCA second team all-region selection in 2011 (Pac-12 All-Freshman Team) and again in 2012, when her season was cut short by a knee injury … product of Bear River High School (near Sacramento) and the All-American Sports Academy club program … younger sister Stephanie is a utility player for the University of Texas softball team.

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Linsey Hays A230

LINSEY HAYS  (Baylor)
LF … So./Fr. … bats: L 
#3/cleanup hitter … Brock, TX … #45 

Hit .611 (11-for-18) during tournament action at Arizona State, factoring into 12 of her team's runs (8RBI-6R-2HR) during 4-1 week that included 6-2 win over previously unbeaten (3) Arizona State … racked up 21 total bases (4 doubles) during the 5-game week … went 3-for-4 in win over host team ASU, sparking the upset with 2-out/2-run blast to right-center in 1st inning … singled in opening 3-0 loss vs. (29/32) North Carolina, then hit 4-for-5 in rout of North Dakota (2RBI-3R-HR-2B) … also contributed to 5-2 win over East Carolina (2RBI-2B-SF) and 6-1 victory over Binghamton (2RBI-2R, 2 doubles) … batting .319 with team-best 14 RBI and four home runs (14R-3B-4 2B-BB-3HBP-3SB) … played in only a handful of games during 2012 season, erring a medical hardship waiver to retain another season of eligibility … product of Brock High School (near Dallas) and the Texas Glory-Shelton club program.

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8611726

KATIE KELLER  (Louisville)  
2B … Jr. … leadoff/#2-hitter … bats: R
Livermore, CA … #22

Offensive catalyst who hit 8-for-12 with 16 times on-base (7 BB, HBP) at the Citrus Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., scoring seven runs with three doubles and a pair of RBI …  compiled a 1.717 OPS (.800 on-base plus .917 slugging pct.) during 5-game stretch, which included a 6-2 win over 11th-ranked LSU, plus a 6-2 victory over (x/31) Georgia Tech and an opening 2-0 loss vs. (5/8) Texas … collected hits and walks in all five games, while scoring in each of the four wins … her double was Cardinal's only hit vs. unbeaten Texas ace Blaire Luna (also drew a walk in that game) … went 2-for-2 (2RBI-2R-BB-HBP) in 5-ining win over Temple (8-0), then scored twice to help beat Longwood 9-1 in six innings (1-3; BB) … had matching 2-for-2, 2-walk stat lines in the noteworthy pair of wins over GT (run, 2 doubles) and LSU (RBI-2R) … team leader in batting avg. (450), RBI (20), home runs (5), runs (22), on-base (.554), slugging (.817), walks (13) and doubles (7), with fur HBP and only four strikeouts all season (in 60 ABs) … first team all-BIG EAST performer in 2011 (second team in '12) … product of Livermore (Calif.) High School (in East Bay) and the Sorcerer Gold travel team.

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Emily Lockman A230

EMILY LOCKMAN  (Nebraska)
RHP … Fr. … Corona, CA … #4 

Rookie who rose to the challenge at unbeaten (2/1) Oklahoma, working around seven hits and five walks, with three Ks, to beat the Sooners in 1-0 thriller (after team's tough 10-3 loss vs. OU earlier in the day) … kept the ball low all game while not allowing any extra-base hits … ended the big upset in exciting fashion, catching cleanup hitter Keilani Ricketts (2012 national player of the year) looking at an 0-2 changeup with two runners aboard (Ricketts had fouled off six 0-2 pitches) … allowed five early runs the next day at Oklahoma State (5-5 after 1st inning) but impressively recovered by holding Cowgirls scoreless the rest of the way, in 10-5 win (8H-BB-K) … leads staff with 1.45 ERA through nine starts (6-1; 27K-21B in 53IP; .211 opp. batting avg.) … rated state of California's top player in 2012, while starring for Norco High School in the Riverside area (also played for Corona Angles club program).

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Gabby Leuty A230

GABBY LUETY  (Fordham)
C … Jr. … bats: R … #4/5/6 hitter Cortland, NY … #41

Hit 5-for-7 with three home runs and seven RBI (5R-2BB) during pair of noteworthy wins at the Citrus Classic in Kissimmee: 11-10 in wild 9-inn. game vs. (x/31) Georgia Tech, then 9-7 vs. (5/8) Texas squad that had started season 19-2 … reached base five times (3-for-3, 2 BB) and factored into five Rams runs vs. GT (3RBI-3R-HR) … Fordham was poised to win that game after scoring in the top of the 8th, but the 'Jackets matched that run to send game to the 9th … quickly helped her team shake off that disappointment moments later, with blast over centerfield fence (runner was placed on 2nd) for decisive 11-9 margin … her pair of early home runs sparked upset of Texas, which had opened game with four runs … turned on pitch in bottom of 1st for 3-run HR to left, sparking Fordham's 5-run answer … Texas promptly scored the tying run in the top of the 1st, but she homered again (to left) for 6-5 lead en route to big 9-7 win … also reached on HBP and scored vs. Maryland while collecting her sixth hit of the tournament vs. Pittsburgh … leads team with .325 batting avg., three home runs and nine walks (10RBI-6R-2B) … Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selection in 2011 … played during her prep days with Homer High School (south of Syracuse), the Bagsai Thunder and the TC Tremors summer teams.

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Nicole Morgan A230

NICOLE MORGAN  (Texas A&M)
C … Jr. … bats: R … #3 hitter
The Woodlands, TX … #25

Hit 8-for-17 (.471) at the Citrus Classic in Kissimmee, with seven RBI and a pair of home runs (2 2B-BB-SF) as Aggies headed home with four more wins and a 22-1 record … drew 1st-inning walk and scored for 2-2 tie vs. (13) Louisiana-Lafayette, then launched 5th-inning solo home run that cut ULL's lead to 4-3 (A&M went on to win, 6-4) … hit 2-for-3 in 9-2 loss vs. (14) Michigan, then his 2-for-3 again (with a sac. fly) in 5-0 win over (30/x) Illinois State … later doubled in 6-5 win over College of Charleston before closing with 5-RBI game in 12-2 victory over Penn State (HR, 2B) … product of College Park High School, looted north of Houston … her mother Karen (diving) and father Kevin (swimmer) were All-Americans on the University of Michigan swimming and diving teams.

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Tessa Ziemba A230

TESSA ZIEMBA  (Hofstra)
CF … Sr. … bats: : … #3/cleanup hitter Wilmington, DE … #1

Helped Hofstra bounce back from several  subpar results in recent weeks, batting .386 (7-for-19) with three home runs while leading the Pride to 4-1 record at the Citrus Classic in Kissimmee – highlighted by her pair of lone balls in 7-2 win over (8/5) Texas … scored five times and racked up 17 total bases in the tournament … homered to produce team's only run in opening loss vs. Mississippi State, followed by four wins … scored or drove in five of Hofstra's runs (4RBI-3R-2HR) in win over Texas team that had started 17-1 this season … hit 2-for-4 with an RBI, run and stolen base in 11-3 win over Maryland … closed tournament with 2-out, 2-run double in 6-2 victory over the College of Charleston … batting .294 with team-best totals in RBI (16), home runs (7) and runs (12) … a first team all-Colonial Athletic Association performer in 2011 and again in '12 (second team in 2010) … product of St. Mark's High School and the Jersey Intensity Gold travel team.

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