April 22, 2008

IRVING, Texas-- Rhea Taylor (Missouri) and Meagan Denny (Texas) have been named the Big 12 Player and Pitcher of the Week for games of April 15-21, the conference announced. Taylor is receiving her second award of the season while this is the sixth career accolade for Denny.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Rhea Taylor, Missouri, CF, Fr., Buford, Ga./Peachtree Ridge
Taylor went 9-for-13 at the plate, including 4-for-4 in game two against Texas, with a .692 average and .714 on-base percentage. The freshman scored seven of Missouri's 18 runs, including three in the 4-1 victory over the Longhorns. The nation's leader in stolen bases, Taylor went 6-of-6 on the week including 3-of-3 in Sunday's win at Texas. She became the Tiger's single-season stolen base record holder after stealing her 48th bag in Austin, breaking a 20-year old record.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Meagan Denny, Texas, RHP, Sr., Crowley, Texas/Crowley
Denny made four starts on the week, throwing complete games in all four outings and posting a 3-1 record. The Crowley, Texas native allowed just five earned runs while fanning 40 batters and allowing two walks. Denny carried a no-hitter into the final inning against Texas Tech and took a perfect game into the final frame versus Missouri on Saturday. In Denny's first start against MU, she tossed her third complete game in four days, going seven innings while allowing just one run on two hits, walking none and striking out nine. She allowed nine hits in 19 innings in her three victories.