Courtesy of HBCU Athletic Conference Communications
NEW ORLEANS – Three Huston-Tillotson University softball players swept the four weekly awards given by the HBCU Athletic Conference, the league announced this week.
Alexis Tamez was named both the Pitcher of the Week, and Newcomer of the Week. Junior infielder Denae Hernandez was named the Player of the Week, while Kieana Cruz took home Freshman of the Week honors. The athletes were recognized for their performance between Feb. 23 and March 2.
A junior from Brownsville, Texas, and a transfer from Alvin Community College, Tamez won two of HT's three conference games as the Rams swept their first-ever HBCU Athletic Conference series. She struck out 15 Voorhees (S.C.) batters over 10 innings in her two conference wins, including a two-hit shutout on Sunday.Â
Tamez did not limit her productivity to the pitcher's circle, as she also went 2-for-5 at the plate with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored in the three-game series. She was honored as the league's Newcomer of the Week for the second week in a row.
Hernandez (Raymondville, Texas / Lamar State–Port Arthur) also had an exceptional week, going 9-for-13 at the plate with at least one hit and one RBI in all five games for the Rams. She was instrumental in HT's series sweep of Voorhees, going 7-for-8 with a triple and an RBI. Hernandez also scored four runs during the weekend series sweep.Â
Defensively, Hernandez was solid, handling 10 of 11 fielding chances cleanly. Her only error occurred in a non-conference road game against NCAA Division I Texas Southern. Additionally, Hernandez was perfect on the base paths during the conference series sweep, successfully stealing two bases.
Cruz, a true freshman from Kingsville, Texas (Santa Gertrudis Academy), went 4-for-11 with two doubles, a home run, and four RBIs in HT's five games this week. She recorded all four RBIs and went 3-for-6 during HT's series sweep of Voorhees and hit a two-run home run in HT's 9-0 win to conclude the series on Sunday.
Defensively, Cruz handled 12 of 13 fielding chances and had a 1.000 fielding percentage in her four games at third base this week.
The Rams return to action Friday, March 6, when they open a three-game conference series against Talladega (Ala.) at Mabson Field on 12th Street in east Austin. The series opener is scheduled for 8 p.m., with the next two games scheduled for Saturday.
The games were moved ahead a day in anticipation of rain that is supposed to arrive in Austin this weekend. Any game changes will be reported on social media and at HTRamsAthletics.com.
– HT –
(HT Sports Information Director Alan Wiederhold also contributed to this story.)
