Softball Garners Two More Weekly Awards

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Newport News, Va. – Fresh off sweeping last week's Atlantic 10 weekly awards, the team has earned two more after a 4-1 stretch between a thrilling 12-11 home victory over Hofstra and four contests in the Towson Tiger Classic. Sydney Canessa has been named the Player of the Week, while Jessica Hughes earned her second straight Rookie of the Week award, the league announced on Monday afternoon for games played March 14-20.
 
Canessa batted .500 (9-for-18) with a home run, two doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, six runs scored, four walks, and five stolen bases in five attempts. She recorded three multi-hit games and four games with two or more RBI. An 0-4 effort against Towson in the team's lone loss snapped an 11-game hitting streak, although the junior drew a bases-loaded no-out walk in the sixth inning as the Rams rallied to tie the game at 7-7. With the walk, Canessa extended a current 25-game stretch reaching base at least once. A new hitting streak began shortly after, against Mount St. Mary's, when Canessa went 1-1 with three walks. The award is the second of the junior's career.
 
For the season, the center fielder is batting .379 with team-highs in home runs (7), doubles (6), RBIs (28), and walks (14). She is one of five players to start all 29 contests.
 
Hughes recorded 10 hits in 17 at-bats (.588) with 11 runs scored, four RBI, a double, six walks, and four stolen bases in four attempts. The Sewell, N.J., native posted an on-base percentage of .696 last week raised her average from .324 to .382 over five games last week. Hughes is currently enjoying a nine-game hitting streak, the longest of her career, and scored at least one run in all five contests. For Hughes, this is the third award of her young career.
 
Hughes leads the team in runs (24), hits (34), and stolen bases (15), while also drawing the second-most walks (13).
 
The Rams are back in action on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to St. John's for a 2:30 p.m. clash.