College Softball 360 Primetime Performers #2 (2014)

• Feb. 19, 2014                                                                          Contact: Pete LaFleur (editor@collegesoftball360.com)
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for CSB360 Week-1 Primetime Performers

Arizona Senior Shortstop Kellie Fox Top Honoree Among
CSB360 Week-2 Primetime Performers (2–19–14)

Arizona newcomer Kellie Fox (San Diego, Calif.) – a former transfer from UCLA with two years of eligibility remaining – headlines the CSB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll for the second week of the 2014 season (all nine week-2 honorees are listed below). Fox, a senior shortstop and the No. 3 hitter in the Wildcats batting order, is the the CSB360 National Primetime Player of the Week, as selected by CollegeSoftball360.com, for games played on Feb.10-16, 2014.

Scroll down for listing of all nine week-2 honorees, plus action photos and player info. capsules (headshots in right sidebar).

CSB360 hopes to recognize a weekly honor roll throughout the 2014 season and even may incorporate a national freshman of the week award (although softball does not have as many freshman contributors as most other collegiate sports).

Here are links to some CSB360 Primetime Performer Honor Roll release from the past two seasons:

2013 Primetime Performers:  Week-1  |  Week-2  |  Week-3  |  Week-4  |  Week-5

… 2012 Primetime – May 2  |  May 9

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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 consideration 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 2014 – #2
(for week of Feb. 10-16, 2014 ... courtesy of CollegeSoftball360.com)

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

WHITNEY CANION  (Baylor)  … LHP … 6th-Yr.-Sr. … Aledo, TX … #11
DALLAS ESCOBEDO  (Arizona State) 
… RHP … Sr. … Glendale, AZ … #12 
* KELLIE FOX  (Arizona) … SS … Sr./Jr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … San Diego, CA … #29
LAUREN HAEGER  (Florida) 
… 1B/RHP/DP … Jr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … Peoria, AZ … #17 
PATRICE JACKSON  (San Diego St.)  … RF … 5th-Yr.-Sr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … Kansas City, MO … #99
EMILEE KOERNER  (Notre Dame) 
… CF … Jr. … leadoff hitter … bats: L  … Tustin, CA … #3 
MIRANDA KRAMER  (IPFW) … LHP … Jr. … Burlington, IA … #2
ERICA SAMPSON  (Tulsa) … LF/C … Jr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … Tahlequah, OK … #63
TANNER SANDERS  (Lipscomb) … RHP … So. … Flintville, TN … #10

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

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

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Canion small action

WHITNEY CANION  
(Baylor … LHP … 6th-Yr.-Sr. … Aledo, TX … #11)

Battle-tested veteran who shut down three top opponents (all receiving votes in the national polls) during home tournament action, allowing only two earned runs (plus two unearned) spanning 22 innings, for a 0.64 ERA during the weekend … racked up 30 strikeouts while yielding only seven free passes during her three starts (six walks, plus a hit batter; also allowed only 13 hits) … went the distance in 9-inning tournament opener vs. (rec.-votes) UAB, rolling up 13 Ks (2 H, 3 BB) while yielding only one earned run as Bears emerged with 4-2 win … did her part the next day vs. surging Lipscomb, another receiving-votes team, but Bears gave her no run support in 1-0 final (run was unearned; 11 Ks, 6 H, BB) … closed weekend with complete-game win vs. 14th-ranked Missouri (2-1; 5 H, 2 BB, HB, 6 Ks) … her season totals now include a 1.73 ERA and 4-2 record in 36.1 innings, with 26 more Ks (43) than free passes (15 BB, only 2 HB) and a .178 opp. batting avg. … back for her sixth season with the Baylor program, after missing most of the 2010 and 2012 season due to injury (earning medical redshirt exemptions) … returned to form in 2013, when she was an NFCA second team all-region performer and first team all-Big 12 (1.94, 24-9, 269 Ks and 100 BB in 209.1 IP) … already Baylor's all-time leader in career wins (96) and strikeouts (1,210) … second team All-American and first team all-Big 12 as a junior in 2011 (1.28, 31-12, 338 K, 108 BB in 278.1), leading Bears to the Women's College World Series … her stellar rookie season in 2009 (1.80, 27-17, 415 Ks and 91 BB in 291.1) included earning NFCA first team all-region and Big 12 Pitcher of the Year … member of 2011 USA National Team … product of Aledo High School along with the Texas Glory Gold and Fort Worth Batbusters travel teams.

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Dallas Escobedo A280

DALLAS ESCOBEDO  
(Arizona State … RHP … Sr. … Glendale, AZ … #12)

Four-year standout who eclipsed her own lofty standards during matchup vs. defending national champs and 10th-ranked Oklahoma, facing only 23 batters (two over the minimum) and striking out 12 in 1-hit shutout (7-0; one walk) … allowed only one earned run spanning her two complete-game starts during the week at ASU home tournament, with huge ratio of strikeouts (23) to free passes (3; 1 walk + 2 hit batters) and only three hits allowed (for a lowly .065 opp. batting avg.) … her other appearance came in 4-2 win over Illinois State (2 H, BB, 11 Ks; one run unearned)  … combines with Mackenzie Propecue to form a strong 1-2 punch in the circle for ASU this season … has won all five of her 2014 starts, with a 0.64 ERA, an eye-popping 11-to-1 K-to-walk ratio (55/5; only 3 HBs) and a .064 opp. batting avg. in 33 innings (Propescue is 6-0, 0.59) … an NFCA first team all-region and first team all-Pac-12 performer as a junior in 2013 (2.32, 30-6, 325 Ks and 74 BB in 250.2) … led ASU to the Women's College World Series in both 2011 and '12 … second team all-region, first team all-Pac-12 as a sophomore in 2012 (2.32, 24-8, 237 Ks and 85 BB in 211.) … broke onto the college softball scene in 2011 as a first team All-American (1.51, 37-3, 324 Ks and 97 BB in 255.1) … member of 2011 Team USA pitching staff that also included Baylor's Whitney Canion (see above) … a prep All-American while starring for Saint Mary's High School.

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KELLIE FOX  
(Arizona … SS … Sr./Jr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … San Diego, CA … #29)
CSB360 National Primetime Player of the Week

Kellie Fox A280

Former UCLA transfer who has started her career at Arizona in impressive fashion, after sitting out in 2013 due to transfer rules … veteran middle infielder who did plenty of the important "little things" during 6-0 home tournament that was highlighted by pair of wins over 4th-ranked Alabama … drew pair of walks in each win over the Crimson Tide, including one on a full-count with the bases loaded to bring home a run in the initial win over Alabama (3-0) … earned a base on balls as part of Arizona's four-run bottom of the first in second win over the Tide (8-0) … her second walk in that game, on a full count in the second inning, advanced two runners who ultimately came around to score for a 6-0 cushion … hit 7-for-14 overall during the week with five walks, eight RBI and seven runs scored … homered in all four of the 'Cats other games during the week (8-0 vs. New Mexico, 10-1 vs. Tennessee State and twice vs. Grand Canyon, both 5-0) … made only one error spanning 21 fielding chances during the week …  reached base at least twice in five of the six games … her stellar start to the 2014 season includes a .522 batting avg. and team-best totals in RBI (18), runs (12) and home runs (5), plus one triple, a double, six walks (plus a hit-by-pitch) and only four strikeouts … has committed only one error this season (.962 fielding pct.) … key member of Arizona offense that owns a .408 team batting avg. and is outscoring its opponents 74-3 (the 'Cats have hit 17 home runs in their 9-0 start) … turned in impressive freshman season at UCLA in 2011, earning first team all-Pac-12 honors (she hit .342 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI) … started all 56 games for the Bruins in 2012 but saw her offensive production drop off (.251, 4 HR, 22 RBI) … her older sister Kristie Fox also was a standout shortstop at Arizona … product of Mt. Carmel High School.

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LAUREN HAEGER  
(Florida … RHP/1B/DP … Jr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … Peoria, AZ … #17)

Lauren Haegaer A280tn-7-haeger








Talented two-way performer who followed up her SEC Pitcher of the Week honor to start the season by receiving the conference's top hitter award for week-2 … smacked four home runs as part of her 8-for-15 second week during tournament action at UNLV, adding eight RBI, seven runs scored and a double (for 21 total bases) … reached base 12 times spanning the five games, with a stolen bass rounding out her strong week on the offensive end … her best game of the week came against a top opponent (rec.-votes Hawaii), batting 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in 11-1 run-rule win … closed the week with another home run and a walk (2 RBI, 2R), as Gators knocked out Minnesota ace Sara Moulton en route to 15-2 win over the 22nd-ranked Gophers (6 inn.) … reached base multiple times in each of the three other games at UNLV (8-1 vs. Seattle, 19-2 vs. Ohio State and 6-0 vs. Cal Stater Northridge), also pitching the complete-game win vs. Seattle (2 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks) … her strong pitching in week-1, during action at the USF tournament, included a pair of wins and 1.08 ERA in wins over Wisconsin (no-hitter) and Illinois State (18 total Ks at USF) … batting at nearly a .400 clip so far in 2014 (.394, 4 HR, 10 RBI) while compiling a season ERA that is nearly sub-1.00 (1.05; 24 Ks and 7 BB in 20 innings) … her first team All-America season as a sophomore in 2013 included batting .319 (18 HR, 70 RBI) while going 16-2 in the circle with a 2.35 ERA (119 Ks, 46 BB in 128.1) … earned NFCA first team all-region and SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2012 (.321, 14 HR, 52 RBI; 1.85, 15-5, 129 Ks and 60 BB in 124.2) … prep All-American while starring for Deer Valley High School and the elite Arizona Hotshots Gold travel team.

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PATRICE JACKSON  
(San Diego State … RF … 5th-Yr.-Sr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … Kansas City, MO … #99)

Patrice Jackson A280

Reached base on 14 of her 18 plate appearances during home tournament, after batting 6-for-10 with eight walks … her week also included four runs scored, three RBI, a home run and a triple … reached base three times and had a hand in three of the SDSU runs during 7-3 win over 23rd-ranked California (1-for-2, 2 BB; RBI, 2 R) … singled and doubled in 6-1 win over (rec.-votes) Cal State Fullerton, adding a single and walk in 12-2 win over South Dakota before walking three times and scoring a run in 4-2 loss to upstart Texas State … launched key 2-run home run in 5th inning vs. St. Mary's, tying the game as SDSU went on to 3-2 win and tournament title … reached four times in that final game of the week vs. SMC (2-for-2, 2 BB) … hitting at an even .500 clip for the 2014 season to go along with a gaudy 1.830 OPS (.694 on-base plist 1.135 slugging), batting 11-for-22 with the two home runs, four doubles and 14 walks (while striking out only five times in 10 games) … her second team All-America season as a junior in 2013 included batting .366 with 27 walks, 18 home runs and 48 RBI … hit .311 as an all-Mountain West Conference performer in 2012 (11 HR, 39 RBI) … missed the 2011 season due to injury, after making 25 starts as a freshman in 2010 … graduated from Archbishop O'Hara High School while playing travel ball in her youth season with several teams (Olathe Rockets, KC Zephyrs Gold and KC White Sox).

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EMILEE KOERNER  
(Notre Dame … CF … Jr. … leadoff hitter … bats: L  … Tustin, CA … #3)

Emilee Koerner A280

Returning All-America leadoff batter and centerfielder who played lead in pair of wins over former BIG EAST Conference rival Louisville, during tournament action at Jacksonville University … reached base eight times (4-for-5 with four walks) during the pair of wins over the 23rd-ranked Cardinals, with a pair of RBI and two runs scored … opened the tournament by batting 2-for-2 with a couple of walks and a run scored in 6-3 win over Louisville … in 9-1 win over hist Jacksonville, collected two RBI, scored a run and stole a base … wrapped up the abbreviated weekend (Missouri did not make it to JU due to weather/travel issues) with another highly productive game vs. the rival Cardinals, batting 2-for-3 with two more walks, two RBI and a run scored … two of her hits in that final game went for extra base, including a leadoff home run that ignited ND's seven-run eruption in the top of the 1st (she hit again in the frame, with a full-count, 2-out RBI double)… batting .435 for the season, with four home runs, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, five walks and no strikeouts for the 6-1 Irish … her monster 2012 season (.439 batting, 47 RBI, 11 HR) netted second team All-America and first team all-BIG EAST honors … hit .320 as a freshman (2 HR, 23 RBI) … product of Foothill High School.

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Miranda Kramer A280

MIRANDA KRAMER  
(IPFW … LHP … Jr. … Burlington, IA … #2)

Could emerge as one of nation's top lefthanded pitchers, after impressive string of appearances at the Texas Longhorn Invitational … her strong week (0.97 ERA and 35 Ks in 21.2 innings) included winning the 3-2, 8-inning game versus the host 15th-ranked Longhorns, racking up 12 strikeouts while not allowing an earned run as IPFW registered its first win over a ranked opponent on the Division I level (she allowed seven hits and only two walks by the 'Horns) … reached double-digit Ks against another national power in the next game, totaling 11 strikeouts in hard-luck, 2-1 loss vs. 7th-ranked Kentucky (5 hits, no walks) … bookended the weekend with pair of wins over Louisiana Tech (7-2; 5-4), with her first victory over LT coming via 2.2 shutout relief innings (3 H, 2 BB, 6 Ks) … went five innings in second win over the Lady Techsters (1-of-3 runs were earned, 5 H, 4 BB, 6 Ks) … has fashioned a 0.72 season ERA and 5-1 record through the first two weeks of the 2014 season, while rolling up 62 strikeouts in 37.2 innings (11.5 Ks per 7 IP), with 14 walks, only one hit batter and a .169 opp. batting avg. … her sophomore season in 2013 included a 1.88 ERA and 22-10 record (284 Ks, 42 BB in 193.1), after going 16-5 as a freshman (1.87; 148 K, 48 BB in 131.0) … product of Burlington Community High School.

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ERICA SAMPSON  
(Tulsa … LF/C … Jr. … #3 hitter … bats: R  … Tahlequah, OK … #63)         action photo currently unavailable

In-state transfer from the University of Oklahoma who could provide key boost for Tulsa in 2014 … reached base 11 times (6-for-13, 4 walks, hit-by-pitch) during tournament action at Texas A&m, with all five games against quality opposition … capped week by playing lead role in 5-2 win over the host 8th-ranked Aggies, delivering three early RBI as Golden Hurricane jumped out to a 5-0 cushion … launched 2-run home runs in her first trip to the player against A&M, then delivered a 2-out RBI single in the 2nd inning for 4-0 lead … opened the weekend by reaching base three times (1-for-2, 2 BB, plus a run and stolen base) in 5-4 win over dangerous McNeese State team that already owns 2014 wins over UAB, Syracuse, Texas A&M and Oregon State … in back-to-back wins over Oregon State (which received votes in the preseason polls), she hit a combined 3-for-5 with a walk, HBP, RBI, run scored and double (9-1; 7-0) … walked and scored in second 1-run win over McNeese (3-2) … batting .333 in 2014 season, with eight RBI and a pair of home runs … made 28 starts in two seasons at Oklahoma (2012-13) … product of Tahlequah High School … her father Terry Sampson played baseball at Northeastern (Okla.) State.

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Tanner Sanders A280

TANNER SANDERS  
(Lipscomb … RHP … So. … Flintville, TN … #10)

Emerging second-year pitcher who proved her worth during week-2 tournament action at Baylor, totaling 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run spanning her three appearances (all against teams that have received votes in the 2014 national polls) … worked out of trouble several times during the weekend, while helping Limscomb fashion a  4-1 record in Waco improve to 8-1 (the Lady Bisons now are receiving votes in the national polls) … opened the weekend with complete-game win in run-rule victory over Iowa (10-0) … registered huge 1-0 win vs. the host team and 14th-ranked Baylor, despite pitching opposite veteran ace Whitney Canion (who is highlighted above) … limited the Bears to three hits, all singles and all in separate innings (Baylor managed only one hit after the 2nd inning) … came out of the bullpen to face UAB in the 5th, moments after the Blazers had forged a 5-5 tie … turned in 3.1 strong innings vs. UAB, allowing only an unearned run as Lipscomb went on to win 8-6 in the 8th … has compiled a 1.48 season ERA in 28.1 innings … named to the 2013 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team, after totaling 18 wins … product of Lincoln County High School.



 



 

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