College Softball 360 Primetime Performers #3 (2014)

• Feb. 26, 2014                                                                          Contact: Pete LaFleur (editor@collegesoftball360.com)
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UCLA Junior Two-Way Talent Ally Carda Headlines 
CSB360 Week-3 Primetime Performers (2–26–14)

UCLA junior ace pitcher and leadoff batter Ally Carda (Elk Grove, Calif.) leads the way among the CSB360 Primetime Performers Honor Roll for the third week of the 2014 season (all 10 week-3 honorees are listed below). Carda, who plays predominantly in center field when not in the circle, is the the CSB360 National Primetime Player of the Week, as selected by CollegeSoftball360.com, for games played on Feb.17-23, 2014.

Scroll down for listing of all 10 week-3 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 – #3
(for week of Feb. 17-23, 2014 ... courtesy of CollegeSoftball360.com)

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

JACEE BLADES  (LSU)  … LF … Sr. … #2 hitter … bats: L … Baton Rougge, LA … #23
WHITNEY CANION  (Baylor)  
… LHP … 6th-Yr.-Sr. … Aledo, TX … #11
*ALLY CARDA  (UCLA)  
… RHP/CF/1B… Jr. … leadoff … bats: R … Elk Grove, CA … #3
TAYLOR GADBOIS  (Missouri)  
… CF … Jr./So. … leadoff … bats: R … Maryville, MO … #9
CHERIDAN HAWKINS  (Oregon)  … LHP … So. … Anderson, CA … #11
EMMA JOHNSON  (Kent State)  
… RHP … Jr. … Groveport, OT … #11
ALEX LAVINE  (Arizona)  … CF … Sr. … #9 hitter … bats: L … Glendale, AZ … #7
AQUILLA MATEEN  (North Carolina)  
… CF … So. … leadoff/#6 hitter … bats: L … Siler City, NC … #20
ELLEN RENFROE  (Tennessee)  
… RHP … Sr. … Jackson, Tennessee … #13
HAYLIE WAGNER  (Michigan)  … LHP … Jr. … Orange, CA … #17

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

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

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JACEE BLADES  
LSU 
… LF … Sr. … #2 hitter … bats: L … Baton Rougge, LA … #23

Jacee Blades A280

Hit 11-for-19 (.579; 3 RBI, 5 R) during action at the annual Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, as Tigers went 4-1 while facing quality opposition – with wins over Long Beach State (13-10), (3/2) Washington (6-3), CS Fullerton (8-1) and (13/11) Stanford (5-3) while dropping a 4-1 game to once-beaten (6/8) Oregon … collected hits in all five games while facing some of the nation's top pitchers … opened week with a single and two runs scored in win over Long Beach … added two more singles in win that handed Washington its first loss of the season … came to play against Oregon, batting 4-for-4 (including three 2-out singles) but the rest of the lineup was 2-for-23 with nine runners left on base, in loss to the Ducks … delivered a key 2-out RBI single (for 3-1 lead) and came around to score, as part of LSU's decisive 8-run bottom of the 5th in win over Fullerton … closed the week by batting 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored in narrow win over Stanford (5-3) … was left stranded after her first two singles in that game before executing RBI bunt single and later scampering home, as Tigers rallied for three runs in top of the 7th to beat the Cardinal … returned from Palm Springs with team-best .444 season batting avg., 13 runs scored and 8-of-9 on stolen-base attempts (8 RBI, 3B, BB, 3 sac. bunts) … made minimal offensive contributions in her first two seasons (hit .252 with 5 RBI in 2011, then .224 with a couple RBI in 2012) before breakthrough 2013 season that saw her named second team all-SEC (.354, 22 RBI) … local product who was a prep All-American while starring for Parkview Baptist School.

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

Whitney Canion A280

Repeat honoree on the CSB360 Primetime Performers, after going 3-0 with a save in four appearances vs. top opposition at the Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, allowing only an unearned run in 21 total innings at the tournament (11 H, 3 BB, HB, 22 Ks) … closed tight win over (16/18) Missouri, facing only seven batters over the final two innings with a hit allowed and three strikeouts, as Bears won 3-2 … went the distance in 7-1 win over (13/11) Stanford, with the run coming unearned (4H, BB, 8 Ks) … logged five shutout innings as part of 13-0 win over (rec. votes) Cal (2H, 3 Ks) … closed with a complete game vs. another team receiving votes in the national polls, Northwestern (4-0 win; 4H, 2BB, hit batter, 8 Ks) … battle-tested veteran whose 2014 season totals now include a 1.10 ERA and 7-2 record in 57.1 innings, with 44 more Ks (65) than free passes (18 BB, only 3 HB) and a .167 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 (99) and strikeouts (1,232) … 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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ALLY CARDA  
UCLA 
… RHP/CF/1B… Jr. … leadoff … bats: R … Elk Grove, CA … #3

Ally Carda A280

Standout two-way talent who played leading role as the Bruins went 5-0 at the annual Nutter Classic in nearby Palm Springs … won all three of her starts in addition to a relief win, allowing only two earned runs (six unearned) in 21 innings, for a 0.67 ERA with a 4.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio (27 Ks, 4 BB) and only five hits allowed … offensively, the senior centerfieilder factored into nine of the Bruins runs (4 RBI, 5 R) while reaching base 11 times over the five games (6-for-14, BB, 4 HBP) and stealing two bases … overcame three errors by her teammates to win 3-2 game vs. (18/13) Oklahoma, racking up 10 strikeouts while both OU runs were unearned (5 H, 2 BB) … picked up relief win in 4-3 game vs. (16/18) Missouri, facing only 11 batters over her three innings (3H–BB–5K) … also hit 2-for-3 with an RBI and HBP in that narrow win over the Tigers (the Bruins scored twice in the 7th) … overcame more errors and unearned runs (4) in the next game against Maryland, still picking ip the win in 10-5 game vs. Maryland after not allowing any earned runs over five innings (5H–2BB–5K), in addition to batting 2-for-4 with an RBI, run scored and stolen base … beat a ranked opponent for the third time at the Nutter in 6-3 game vs. (11/12) Nebraska, allowing two runs over six innings (4H–BB–7K) while reaching base three times (1-for-2; 2 HBP) with a key early run … capped her productive weekend by reaching base three more times (1-for-1; BB, HBP) and factoring into four of the Bruins runs (2 RBI, 2 R) in 13-9 win over New Mexico, adding thee stolen bases and a sacrifice fly to her tournament stat line … ended the week with a 9-0 season record and 0.40 ERA spanning 53 innings (68 Ks, 10 BB, .134 opp. batting avg.) … ranks second on 2014 Bruins team with a .413 batting avg. (18 runs, 12 RBI, HR, 2B) to go along with 15 other times on base (9 BB, 6 HBP, only 2 Ks) and seven stolen bases … earned 2013 first team all-Pac-12 honors as a junior (2.30, 23-10, 217 Ks and 88 BB in 206.2, while hitting .339 with 50 RBI, 18 doubles and 7 HR) … named to the 2012 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (3.38, 13-5, 97 Ks and 71 BB in 120.0; hit .290 with 29 RBI and 4 HR) … played with USA National Team during summer of 2011 … product of Pleasant Grove HS.

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TAYLOR GADBOIS  
Missouri 
… CF … Jr./So. … leadoff … bats: R … Maryville, MO … #9

Taylor Gadbois A280

Led team at the plate and on the bases, reaching 11 times (9-for-16 with two walks) and stealing seven bases en route to scoring six runs, as Tigers nearly won all five of their games at the annual Nutter Classic in Palm Springs … swiped three bases in 2-0 win over 14th-ranked Arizona, batting 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored … hit 3-for-4 and scored a run vs. 15th-ranked Baylor, but the rest of the Tigers batted 5-for-25 as Bears earned 3-2 win … went 2-for-3 with another stolen base and a run scored in shutout win over Fordham (8-0) … in 11-2 win over San Diego State. she scored another run after reaching twice (1-for-2, BB) and adding a stolen base … helped Tigers nearly knock off (8/9) UCLA, scoring twice after batting 2-for-4 with her sixth and seventh stolen bases of the weekend (the Bruins won, 3-2) … returned from Palm Springs with team-best .462 season batting avg., plus 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, three walks and 10 stolen bases (on 12 attempts) … took a redshirt season in 2012 before playing in spot duty during 2013 season … her mother Dana played softball at Tarkio College and Northwest Missouri State (her father Moe was a baseball player at Tarkio) … product of Maryville High School. 

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CHERIDAN HAWKINS
 
Oregon 
… LHP … So. … Anderson, CA … #11

Cherdian Hawkins pitch

Won both of her starts and closed another win, as Ducks improved to 14-1 after going 5-0 at the Nuttler Classic in Palm Springs … did not allow a run in her 17.2 innings, extending an impressive stretch in which she has allowed only one run over her past 47.1 (with 70 Ks and only 15 hits allowed in that span) … racked up 29 strikeouts in Palm Springs, with only six walks and 10 hits allowed … struck out 12 batters in 4-1 win over 23rd-ranked LSU, scattering six hits and three walks over the full seven innings … closed 3-2 win over Fordham, facing only six batters over the final 1.2 innings (H, 3 Ks) … racked up 14 Ks and faced only 33 batters (six over the 9-inning minimum) during 2-0 win over 24th-ranked Notre Dame, limiting the Irish to three hits and three walks in the extra-inning win … entered late February with a 1.45 ERA and 7-1 record, with 77 Ks and 24 walks in 53 innings (.115 opp. batting avg.) … earned second team all-Pac-12 honors as a freshman in 2013 (1.55, 19-5 with six saves, 212 Ks and 34 BB in 140.1; .130 opp. avg.) … played with the USA National Team program during the summer of 2013 … earned prep All-America honors while starring for Anderson High School … also a product of the Strike Zone Elite club softball team.  

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EMMA JOHNSON  
Kent State 
… RHP … Jr. … Groveport, OT … #11

Emma Johnson A280

Compiled a 1.11 ERA and totaled 22 strikeouts over 19 innings, while facing top teams in tournament action at the Florida Atlantic Invitational … allowed 11 hits and nine walks in three-game stretch while facing a pair of top teams – (7/5) Michigan and (5/6) Kentucky – plus a Pittsburgh squad fronted by ace pitcher Savannah King (who three a 1-hitter vs. Oklahoma earlier this season) … allowed only two earned runs against Michigan (7H, 3 BB, 3 Ks) but received minimal run support, in loss to Wolverines team that entered the week with a .352 team batting avg. … racked up 10 strikeouts in 1-hit shutout (3-0) that handed Kentucky its first loss of the 2014 season, facing only 26 batters (five over the minimum) with three walks and a hit batter (the Wildcats headed to FAU sporting a .304 team batting avg.) … closed the weekend with another win, nearly posting double-digit strijeouts again in 6-1 game vs. Pitt (3H–3BB–2HB–9Ks) … has compiled a 2.26 season ERA and 4-2 record, with 31 Ks and 17 walks in 34 innings (.168 opp. batting avg.) … named 2013 Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year (1.70, 20-12, 215 Ks in 210 innings, .194 opp. avg.) … named second team all-MAC as a freshman in 2012 (2.27, 16 wins, 233 Ks in 206.2) … product of Madison High School and the Lady Lasers club team.

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ALEX LAVINE  
Arizona 
… CF … Sr. … #9 hitter … bats: L … Glendale, AZ … #7

Alex Lavine catch

Another of the top performers while competing amidst the elite field at the annual Nutter Classic, batting 7-for-13 from the bottom of the Arizona lineup to help the Wildcats improve to 13-1 with a 4-1 record in Palm Springs … reached base 10 times in the tournament, with three walks, while proving four RBI and scoring a couple runs from the 9th spot in the batting order … hit 2-for-3 with a key run scored in 4-2 win over (12/16) Texas A&M … her 4th-inning single to right field ignited a 2-out/2-run rally that pushed the 'Cats to a 3-1 lead on the Aggies … singled in one of her two at-bats during low-scoring game vs. (16/18) Missouri, a 2-0 loss … reached on a walk in 8-0win over Fresno State before leading the way in 7-0 win over (11/12) Nebraska, batting 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBI … close the weekend batting 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored in 14-1 win over UNLV … headed home with team-best .483 batting avg. (5 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 3 sac. bunts, stolen base) … had been a righthanded hitter before converting to a lefty slap-hitter starting in the 2013 season (when she hit .297, after batting only .224 in her first two seasons with the 'Cats … product of Mountain Ridge High School.

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AQUILLA MATEEN  
North Carolina 
… CF … So. … leadoff/#6 hitter … bats: L … Siler City, NC … #20

Aquilla Mateen A280

Sparked Tar Heels to pair of noteworthy wins vs. tournament host (rec. votes) Hawaii (9-0, 9-3), batting a combined 6-for-7 with a walk in those games, while scoring four runs with an RBI and two stolen bases against the home team … her overall week – in one game at Cal State Fullerton and in five tournament game at Hawaii – included batting 13-for-19 (.684) with four walks, five runs scored, an RBI and three stolen bases … hit 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored in midweek loss at Cal State Fullerton … opened play in the islands by batting 1-for-2 with a walk in 1-0 win over San Jose State … posted three straight 3-hit games, staring with 2-0 win over St. Mary's (3-for-3, 2B, SB) … followed with 3-for-4 game, plus two stolen bases and a run scored, in 9-0 win over Hawaii … factored into four of the UNC runs in second win over the host team (9-3), batting 3-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and three runs cored … closed the wee end with a 2-for-4 game (run scored) in 5-4 loss to San Jose State, en route to earning MVP honors at the Bank of Hawaii Invitational (hit 12-for-16 with five runs scored and an RBI) … has compiled a team-best .442 season batting avg., with 11 runs scored, four walks and five stolen bases (RBI, two doubles) … started 32 games as a freshman in 2013, while hitting .346 with 30 runs scored and 18-of-21 stolen bases … product of Jordan Matthews High School.

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ELLEN RENFROE  
Tennessee
… RHP … Sr. … Jackson, Tennessee … #13

Ellen Renfroe A280

Four-year standout in the circle who has combined with her sister Ivy ('13 grad.) as the Lady Vols 1-2 pitching tandem over the previous three season … has led Tennessee to a 13-0 start in 2014, most recently in Palm Springs at the Nutter Classic, when she went 3-0 with a save and a 0.72 ERA, plus 22 strikeouts and only two walks (11 hits) spanning 19.1 innings… went the distance in 5-3 win over (11/12) Nebraska, allowing only one earned run while striking out nine (4 H, 2 BB, hit batter) … saved 5-1 game vs. Oregon State, inheriting 2-1 lead while allowing one run in 2.1 innings (H, 5 Ks, 9 batters faced) … followed with another complete-game win to knock off (13/11) Stanford, 3-1, with the run coming unearned while she faced only 26 batters (3 H), with seven Ks … closed the busy two-day stretch with relief win vs. Fresno State, as Tennessee rallied for 5-4 win (3 IP, 3 H, K, 11 batters faced) … has won all seven of her decisions in 2014, with a 7-0 record and a ridiculous 15-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (61/4. in 45.1 innings) … has yielded only seven total feee passes ions this season (4 BB, 3 hit batters) while limiting opponents to a .135 batting avg. … went 19-5 with a 1.85 ERA during her junior season, as a member of the 2013 WCWS runner-up squad (221 Ks and 72 BB in 200.2; .183 opp. avg.) … named a first team All-American for her sophomore season in 2012 (1.24, 27-5, 280 Ks and 76 BB in 231.0; .179 opp. avg.), after earning third team All-America status as a freshman in 2011 (1.50, 26-7, 159 Ks and 66 BB in 201.0; .194 opp. avg.) … a prep All-American at Trinity Christian Academy … also a product of several top club programs, including  the Tennessee Fury, Tennessee Xplosion and the Illinois Southern Force.

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HAYLIE WAGNER  
Michigan 
… LHP … Jr. … Orange, CA … #17

Haylie Wagner A280

Accomplished lefthanded who was a unanimous pick for Big Ten Pitcher of the Year during her freshman season in 2012, before being slowed in 2013 by early-season injury … could be on track for another stellar season in 2014, with her current 7-0 season record and 0.76 ERA including three wins at the Florida Atlantic Invitational … was in full control during showdown vs. (5/6) Kentucky team that entered the week unbeaten, facing only 24 batters while limiting the Wildcats to a pair of hits, no walks and one hit batter while striking out five in the 3-0 win … allowed one run and four hits (.085 opp. batting avg.) in 16 total innings during the week, with 12 strikeouts, only three walks and two hit batters … opened the tournament by going the distance in a 2-hit, 7-1 victory against Kent State, which also managed a win over previously-unbaeten Kentucky … faced only 26 batters in that first win over the Golden Flashes (2H–3BB–HB–4K), later adding a relief win over Kent State, in 1-0 game that went nine innings (she struck out three of the six batters she faced in the two extra innings) … in addition to the 0.76 ERA and 7-0 record, her current 2014 season stats included 36 strikeouts and only nine free passes (7BB–2HB) in 36.2 innings, with a .142 opponent batting avg. … earned second team all-Big Ten honors in 2013 (2.50, 19-3, 102 Ks and 15 BB in 123.0; .237 opp. avg.), after her impressive debut season as the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year in 2012 (1.53, 32-7, 159 Ks and 52 BB in 252.0; .207 opp. avg.) … her sister Kylie Wagner was a softball pitcher at the University of Evansville (2009) and UNLV (2010-12) … product of El Modena High School.

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