Woolard named MIAA Player of the Week

March 15, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senior shortstop earns first conference honor of the year

Before many Missouri Southern followers could turn their complete attention to spring sports, Alese Woolard (Claremore, Okla.) had already tied the Lions’ single-season home run record.

Now with eight homers thus far in 2005, Woolard was named Wilson/Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Softball Player of the Week on Tuesday. It was the first week for the award, and it includes all action from the beginning of the softball season through Sunday (March 13).

Woolard, a 5-foot-5 shortstop, came into her senior season with no homers in 433 career at-bats, but quickly changed that in 2005. During a span of 28 at-bats, from Feb. 25 to March 5, she belted all eight round-trippers. And with at least 35 games left to play this year, Woolard now shares the Lions’ seasonal home run record with Kasey Martin (2000) and Paula Baker (2002).

Woolard, who is second on the team with a .395 batting average, leads the Lions in hits (30), runs (25), triples (2), home runs, RBI (25), total bases (60), slugging percentage (.789), walks (7) and on-base percentage (.446). She has reached base safely in 19 of 24 games this year. She has a team-best nine multi-hit games and a team-high six multiple-RBI contests this year.

Woolard is now tied for fifth in career homers at MSSU. She’s also tied for fifth on the career list for triples (12) and is close to joining the Lions’ career charts in hits, doubles, runs and walks as well.

With Tuesday’s softball award, it marks the second sport this year in which Woolard has won MIAA Athlete of the Week honors. She was named Wilson/MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week in women’s soccer on Nov. 9, one day before she was picked for honorable mention all-conference honors in that sport.

Woolard, a graduate of Oologah High School, and the rest of the Lions will look to continue their success Wednesday from last weekend’s Teri (Mathis) Zenner Memorial Classic, in which the team went 3-1 before an extra-inning loss in the championship game. Southern hosts Bemidji State (Minn.), weather permitting, at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Gene Wild Field. Then the Lions embark on their spring break trip, which will have them on a three-doubleheader tour of Mississippi and Arkansas.


	March 15, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Woolard named MIAA Player of the Week Senior shortstop earns first conference honor of the year Before many Missouri Southern followers could turn their complete attention to spring sports, Alese Woolard (Claremore, Okla.) had already tied the Lions’ single-season home run record. Now with eight homers thus far in 2005, Woolard was named Wilson/Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Softball Player of the Week on Tuesday. It was the first week for the award, and it includes all action from the beginning of the softball season through Sunday (March 13). Woolard, a 5-foot-5 shortstop, came into her senior season with no homers in 433 career at-bats, but quickly changed that in 2005. During a span of 28 at-bats, from Feb. 25 to March 5, she belted all eight round-trippers. And with at least 35 games left to play this year, Woolard now shares the Lions’ seasonal home run record with Kasey Martin (2000) and Paula Baker (2002). Woolard, who is second on the team with a .395 batting average, leads the Lions in hits (30), runs (25), triples (2), home runs, RBI (25), total bases (60), slugging percentage (.789), walks (7) and on-base percentage (.446). She has reached base safely in 19 of 24 games this year. She has a team-best nine multi-hit games and a team-high six multiple-RBI contests this year. Woolard is now tied for fifth in career homers at MSSU. She’s also tied for fifth on the career list for triples (12) and is close to joining the Lions’ career charts in hits, doubles, runs and walks as well. With Tuesday’s softball award, it marks the second sport this year in which Woolard has won MIAA Athlete of the Week honors. She was named Wilson/MIAA Goalkeeper of the Week in women’s soccer on Nov. 9, one day before she was picked for honorable mention all-conference honors in that sport. Woolard, a graduate of Oologah High School, and the rest of the Lions will look to continue their success Wednesday from last weekend’s Teri (Mathis) Zenner Memorial Classic, in which the team went 3-1 before an extra-inning loss in the championship game. Southern hosts Bemidji State (Minn.), weather permitting, at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Gene Wild Field. Then the Lions embark on their spring break trip, which will have them on a three-doubleheader tour of Mississippi and Arkansas.