SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Taylor Jenkins and Lauren Collier have been named the Southern Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the week, respectively, the league announced Tuesday. The selections are made by the Southern Conference office.

Sophomore Taylor Jenkins batted .417 with a double, triple, two home runs and 13 RBI in just 12 at-bats this past week to propel Furman to a 4-0 record and series sweep of Southern Conference rival UNCG.  Jenkins, who slugged 1.167 over the four games, belted a three-run homer over the Pepsi Stadium scoreboard and delivered a two-run triple to drive in five runs in an 8-4 win over Towson on Tuesday before adding a three-run first-inning homer in game one versus UNCG and driving in four runs in the second game of the series versus the Spartans.  The second baseman finished with five runs, four extra base hits and reached base in eight of her 15 trips to the plate while playing errorless ball on 10 chances.

Junior Lauren Collier posted a 3-0 record and 1.26 ERA this past week while leading the Paladins to a 4-0 record, including a sweep of UNCG this past weekend.  The Maineville, Ohio, native limited the opposition to just three earned runs on 16 hits and struck out 15 batters in 16 and 2/3 innings in three outings.  She held Towson to one earned run on five hits and fanned seven in an 8-2 victory over Towson on Tuesday before hurling a five-inning, five-hit complete-game shutout in an 8-0 win over UNCG in game one on Saturday.  In the second game, Collier tossed four and 2/3 innings of relief and fanned six batters to claim her third win of the week in a 10-5 triumph over the Spartans. Collier also hit .700 with five doubles, four RBI and three walks in just 10 at-bats this week.  She went 3-for-5 with three doubles in Furman’s sweep of UNCG.

­Also receiving nominations for player of the week were Appalachian State’s Allie Cashion, College of Charleston’s Chandler Frisbie, Elon’s Tomeka Watson, Georgia Southern’s Tabby Douberley, Samford’s Abby Adams, Chattanooga’s Stephanie Rieck, and Western Carolina’s Megan Crowe.

Also nominated for pitcher of the week were Elon’s Chelsea White, Georgia Southern’s Sarah Purvis, Samford’s Caitlin Bice, Chattanooga’s Taylor Deason, and Western Carolina’s Jordan Garrett.

2013 Softball Player of the Week

Feb. 11             Lindsay Thomas, UNCG
Feb. 18             Danielle Vega, UNCG
Feb. 25             Tomeka Watson, Elon
Mar. 4               Lindsay Thomas, UNCG
Mar. 11             Allie Cashion, Appalachian State
Mar. 18             Sieara Bishop, Furman
Mar. 25             Taylor Jenkins, Furman 

2013 Softball Pitcher of the Week

Feb. 11             Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
Feb. 18             Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
Feb. 25             Hope Klicker, College of Charleston
Mar. 4               Shelby Parker, Furman
Mar. 11             Mollie Hanson, Samford
Mar. 18             Alissa Schoelkopf, Appalachian State
Mar. 25             Lauren Collier, Furman