Ball State University Athletics
Taylor Rager Earns Two Player Of The Week Honors
February 21, 2012 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State softball sophomore first baseman Taylor Rager (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) has been named both the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week and the College Sports Madness MAC Softball Player of the Week, as announced today by both groups.
"Taylor had an outstanding weekend," said Ball State head coach Craig Nicholson. "It's always a challenge to come out and perform well opening weekend. For her to be that good on the first weekend says something about her ability as a player."
Rager, who picks up player of the week accolades for the first time in her career, led the Ball State offense with a .615 batting average, including a pair of two-run home runs, at the Quality Inn Classic hosted by Troy. In 14 at bats, Rager collected eight hits, two walks and did not record a strikeout. She also posted a perfect fielding percentage with 30 putouts and a pair of assists.
Over the final three games of the tournament, Rager led all players with a .889 average, going 8-for-9 at the plate with a pair of walks.
In BSU's one-run loss to No.5/6 Missouri, Rager went a perfect 3-for-3 from the batter's box and scored one of the Cardinals two runs while also drawing a walk.
Rager turned in a 2-for-2 effort in the victory over Nicholls State, while drawing a walk and hitting her first home run of the season, a two-run blast which drove in the eventual game-winning run.
She concluded play in the Quality Inn Classic with a 3-for-4 effort at Troy, blasting her second two-run homer of the season.
Rager and the Ball State softball team returns to action this weekend, when it travels to Chattanooga, Tenn., for the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial. BSU opens the three-day tournament Friday, with games versus Troy (11 a.m.) and Belmont (3:30 p.m.).
