March 16, 2009
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham University senior outfielder Melissa Andrews (Vista, Calif./Rancho Buena Vista) and freshman pitcher Jen Mineau (Schaghticoke, N.Y./Hoosic Valley Central) were honored by the Atlantic 10 today, being named Softball Co-Player and Rookie/Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for the week ending March 15th. This is the first Player of the Week honor for Andrews this spring, the second of her career, while Mineau, who threw two no-hitters on the week, picks up her first Pitcher and Rookie of the Week accolade. They become the third and fourth Fordham players to earn Atlantic 10 weekly awards, joining Samantha Pellechio, who was named Player of the Week on February 16th, and Lindsey Bright, the Rookie of the Week on February 23rd.
Andrews hit .439 (18-41) over the past two weeks (this week's award covers action from the past two weeks since the Atlantic 10 did not select players of the week last week), with two doubles, two triples, one home run, seven RBI and ten runs. She led Fordham to a 10-2 mark over the past two weeks, including a five-game sweep this past weekend at the Maryland Invitational. Andrews, who was successful in all six stolen base attempts over the two-week stretch, posted a .489 on-base percentage and a .659 slugging percentage in the past 12 games. She recorded seven multi-hit games, including three three-hit performances, to improve her batting averaging from .154 to .300. Andrews recorded three-hit games against Virginia Tech (3-for-3), Saint Peter's (3-for-4 with three RBI), and Mt. St. Mary's (3-for-3 with two RBI). She enjoyed a hot day against Saint Peter's, going a combined 5-for-8 with a home run, three RBI and three runs in a doubleheader on March 10th.
On the season, Andrews, who was named First Team All-Atlantic 10 last spring, is hitting .300 (24-80) with two doubles, three triples, two home runs and ten RBI. She leads the team in triples and is second in runs scored (15) and stolen bases (8). Her six swipes over the past two weeks move Andrews into second place on Fordham career stolen bases list with 50.
Mineau was 4-1 with four saves over the past two weeks, having a hand in eight of Fordham's ten wins over that period. She threw two no-hitters this past week, including a perfect game against Saint Peter's on March 10th, on Bahoshy Field. In that game, a 9-0 Fordham win in five innings, Mineau was dominant, striking out the side in the first, third and fifth innings, and getting Ariana Payan to strike out looking for the final out of the game. Other than the 12 strikeouts, the Peahens only had a ground out to Mineau and a pop up to catcher Maggie Seidel in the second, and a ground out to Jo Krasnisky at second base.
In her other no-hitter, Mineau blanked Delaware, 10-0 in five innings, on March 15th at the Maryland Invitational, allowing just two baserunners in the game, striking out two and walking one. The no-hitters were just the second and third all-time at Fordham.
For the week, Mineau threw 35.2 innings, allowing 15 hits and five runs, three earned, walking three and fanning 32. Her two other wins over the past two weeks were a complete-game, three-hitter, in a 2-1 win over Hofstra at the Under Armor Invitational in Clearwater, Fla., on March 7th, and a complete-game, six-hitter, in a 6-2 win at Maryland on Saturday.
On the year, Mineau has made 18 appearances, 11 starts, compiling a 7-4 record with four saves and a 1.40 ERA. In 75.0 innings of work, she has allowed 47 hits and 28 runs, 15 earned, while striking out 62 and walking only 17. She leads the team in wins, saves, innings pitch, strikeouts and opponent's batting average (.175).
The Rams, who are riding a seven-game winning streak, return to action on Wednesday, March 18th as they play two games in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Fordham will match up with Longwood University at 2:00 PM and then meet North Carolina at 6:00 PM.
