By: by Scott Lipsky
MACON, Ga. – Kennesaw State freshman Ashlee Burkett collected her second Atlantic Sun Conference Softball Player of the Week award on Monday after a terrific week at the plate for the Owls, batting .600 (9-for-15) with two home runs and eight RBIs over five games.
Burkett, a first baseman who hails from Warner Robins, Ga., recorded at least one hit in all five games, helping the Owls to a 3-2 record during that span. She improved as the week went on, culminating in a 3-for-3 performance in game two of Kennesaw State's doubleheader with ETSU Sunday. The performance included a solo home run in the top of the seventh to cap-off the Owls’ comeback from a 4-1 deficit to win the game, 5-4, and complete a doubleheader sweep against the Bucs. She also scored six runs and walked four times during the week, bringing her on-base percentage to a staggering .684.
While it has been a great week for Burkett, her performance over the last five games certainly isn’t an aberration. It has been an extremely impressive rookie campaign for her, as she enters Tuesday third in the A-Sun in batting average, hitting at a .366 clip. She is also tied with her teammate, redshirt sophomore Jessica Cross, for third in the conference with 32 RBIs.
This is the second Player of the Week award that she has won this season, previously garnering the award on March 29.
Burkett and the Owls resume their schedule on Tuesday afternoon, when they welcome the Georgia Southern Eagles to town for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch at Bailey Park on Tuesday is scheduled for 3 p.m.
