Utah State sweeps Mountain West softball weekly awards

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State softball players Riley Plogger and Kellie White have been named the Mountain West Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for the week ending March 26, as announced by the league on Tuesday.

Utah State posted a 3-1 record last week, as the team defeated in-state rival Utah Valley (11-2 in six innings), before going 2-1 in a Mountain West road series at Nevada. The Aggies and Wolf Pack split a doubleheader (2-6, 6-3), while USU took the series with a 17-5 five-inning win in the weekend finale.

Plogger, a freshman outfielder, led Utah State at the plate during the week. Between the four games, she batted .583 (7-of-12), including two home runs. Plogger was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in two of the Aggies’ wins. She scored six runs on the week, while tallying six RBIs. Additionally, Plogger was walked three times, while adding five defensive putouts.

White went 3-0 in her time in the circle last week, posting a 1.94 ERA in her 18.0 innings of work. She allowed 12 hits between her three appearances, while opposing teams were held to 10 runs, only five of which were earned. White tallied nine strikeouts, while walking eight batters.

“I’m extremely happy for and proud of both Riley and Kellie for this recognition. As freshmen, they’re the future of this program, so it’s nice to see them performing at this level early,” said Utah State head coach Steve Johnson. “Both of them have worked extremely hard this year to get where they are and it’s nice to see them recognized for all their hard work.”

Plogger and White are the second and third Utah State players, respectively, to earn a conference weekly award this season, making this the first season the team has had multiple players recognized since joining the Mountain West. This is the second time Utah State has swept the player and pitcher accolades. Allison Lenzora and Mandy Harmon were named the Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week on May 2, 2011.

Utah State returns to the field in a conference series at Boise State this weekend. The Aggies and Broncos will open the series on Friday, March 31, at 4 p.m., followed by a game on Saturday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The weekend will conclude in a Noon game on Sunday, April 2.

Fans can follow the Aggie softball program on Twitter, @USUSoftball, on Facebook at /USUSoftball or on Instagram, @ususoftball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.

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