EMCC sophomore shortstop Averi Pender tabbed MACJC Softball Player of the Week

SCOOBA – East Mississippi Community College's Averi Pender has been tabbed the MACJC Softball Player of the Week for her outstanding performances at the plate a week ago.  

During the Lions' 3-1 week, Pender batted .667 by going 8-for-12 with five extra-base hits, including two home runs, two doubles and a triple, along with 14 runs batted in and eight runs scored.

The sophomore shortstop opened last week by reaching base in all eight plate appearances during EMCC's home doubleheader sweep over Northeast Mississippi.  With hits in all five official at-bats against the Tigers, Pender capped the Lions' successful day by going 3-for-3 with a grand slam and a double in a seven-RBI effort during EMCC's 17-5 nightcap victory.

Pender then followed by going 3-for-7 at Hinds this past Saturday.  Her game-tying, three-run homer in the seventh inning against the Eagles sparked EMCC's 8-7 comeback victory in the second game of the twin bill.

For the season, Pender is hitting .354 with a slugging percentage of .602 and a .411 on-base percentage.  The Union High School product has a team-leading 10 extra-base hits for the EMCC Lions this year, including a club-high five home runs, five doubles and four triples.  Pender ranks second on the team with 36 RBIs and is tied for the club lead with 31 runs scored on the year.

Pender, along with MACJC Softball Pitcher of the Week Bailey Root of Copiah-Lincoln, will now be nominated for the NJCAA's weekly national softball awards.