Scaglione Sets Pair Of Big 12 Records With Weekly Honor

NORMAN, Okla. The remarkable season of Oklahoma junior catcher Heather Scaglione was further enhanced on Tuesday afternoon when she was announced as the Big 12 Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. No other player in Big 12 history has garnered the weekly honor on four occasions in a single season. Scaglione is also the first player in conference history to win the award five times in her career.

Scaglione's previous honors this season came Feb. 10, March 2 and March 16. She also won the weekly award as a freshman on April 16, 2002.

Scaglione had four RBI in nine official at-bats last week. The the San Diego, Calif., junior was walked six times in four games, including three of the intentional variety. Scaglione began the week by going 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs in the 7-3 win against Texas Tech. In the second game of the doubleheader a 4-3 win by OU -- the Red Raiders wanted nothing to do with Scaglione as she went 0-for-1 with three base on balls, two of which were intentional.

In the 10-1 run rule of Kansas last Saturday, Scaglione had one RBI and scored two runs. In the 2-1 OU win the following day KU stayed away from Scaglione as she was walked twice, including an intentional pass. For the week Scaglione reached base 10 times in 15 plate appearances for an on-base percentage of .667.

Scaglione has established herself as a favorite for the Big 12 Player of the Year award. In the conference ranks for the entire season, she leads the Big 12 in hits (62, tied with teammate Norrelle Dickson), batting average (.413), home runs (13), RBI (42), total bases (111), on-base percentage (.522) and slugging percentage (.740), while she also ranks third in doubles (10), runs scored (35) and walks (34). She is the only player in conference hitting above .400, while also being the only player to eclipse .500 in on-base percentage, .700 in slugging percentage, 100 in total bases and 40 in RBI.

Her numbers have only improved since the start of Big 12 play. In conference-only games, she leads or is tied for the lead in batting average (.447), home runs (4), RBI (12), total bases (31), on-base percentage (.577), slugging percentage and walks (12).

Her most impressive stat may be on defense where she has thrown out 12 of 19 attempted base stealers (.632). She has just three passed balls this season and has picked off four runners.

Scaglione was named as one of 25 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year on April 7. The list was scheduled to be narrowed to 10 finalists on April 28, but now will be delayed until April 30.

Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, who is currently playing with the USA Olympic Team, owns the record for Big 12 weekly pitching honors with 11.

The Bedlam softball finale will be played at the OU Softball Complex tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The Sooners enter the rivalry match up with a four game winning streak, while Oklahoma State salvaged a split with Texas last weekend.

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Scaglione Sets Pair Of Big 12 Records With Weekly Honor

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