It's time once again for our weekly look at some of the top single-performances in D1 college softball – the nominees for HERO of the Week!
The only way to vote is in the polls at the bottom of each section. Once you’ve made your voice heard, be sure to share with friends so they can vote as well, and check back next week to see who won. Polls close Monday at noon Pacific, so be sure to get your vote in on time!
If you know of a player you think we should include next week, let us know! Nominate a player by sending an email with “D1 Softball HERO” in the subject line to stories@herosports.com, or tweet us your nomination @HEROSportsNews with the hashtag #D1SBHERO.
Last week you chose Brianna Tautalafua of BR-12 UCLA as the D1 Softball Offensive HERO of the Week with over 35 percent of the vote. Tautalafua went 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in a 15-7 win over BR-21 Utah.
On the flip side, you chose Gina Snyder of BR-70 Purdue as the D1 Softball Pitching HERO of the Week with 48 percent of the vote. Snyder struck out 10 batters in a game against BR-39 Northwestern. Congrats Brianna and Gina! Now on to this week's nominees.
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Offense
Courtesy of Alabama State Athletics
KENDALL CORE
BR-239 ALABAMA STATE: Core went 3 for 5 at the plate with two home runs and four RBIs in an 18-8 win last week over BR-238 Texas Southern. [divider]
Courtesy of Arizona Athletic Department
NANCY BOWLING
BR-17 ARIZONA: Bowling smacked a pinch-hit grand slam to help power the Wildcats past BR-30 Cal in an 8-0 win last week. [divider]
TIFFANY HOWARD
BR-6 AUBURN: Howard went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs to help the Tigers win its second consecutive Southeastern Conference title in a 7-1 win last week against BR-11 LSU.
Courtesy of Jacksonville State Athletic Department
LEILA CHAMBERS
BR-66 JACKSONVILLE STATE: Chambers went 2 for 4 at the plate with a home run and three RBIs to lead Jacksonville State to a 6-1 win and the Ohio Valley Conference title over BR-147 SIUE.
JANELLE BOUCHARD
BR-135 MAINE: Bouchard was nearly perfect, going 3 or 4 with a home run and four RBIs to help give the Black Bears its first America East Conference championship since 2004 in a 14-1 victory last week against BR-201 Albany.
Who was the D1 Softball Offensive HERO of the Week?
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Pitching
DANIELLE O'TOOLE
BR-17 ARIZONA: O'Toole tossed a complete game shutout, striking out six while giving up just two hits in an 8-0 win over BR-30 Cal. [divider]
SIERRA HYLAND
BR-74 CAL POLY: Hyland truly went the distance, pitching 10 innings to ensure a 1-0 shutout victory over BR-103 UC Riverside. She struck out three batters.
AMBER LOGEMANN
BR-96 MIAMI (OH): Logemann tallied over three innings of scoreless relief to clinch the Mid-American Conference title in a 3-0 win over BR-94 Ohio. She was named the tournament MVP.
KYLEE HANSON
BR-25 FLORIDA ATLANTIC: Hanson tossed a three-hit shutout for a 6-0 win over BR-91 UAB last week to win the Conference USA title. She struck out eight batters and walked one. [divider]
Courtesy of Samford Athletic Communications
MOLLIE HANSON
BR-58 SAMFORD: Hanson pitched a complete game and gave up one earned run while striking out four in a 4-3 victory over BR-114 Furman to win the Southern Conference championship.