For Immediate Release: March 28, 2011
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Phillips named America East Softball Player of the Week
Sophomore outfielder hits .889 in three-game sweep over Hartford

America East Conference Release

VESTAL, N.Y.-- For the second time in three weeks, sophomore outfielder Jessica Phillips has been named the America East Softball Player of the Week. She earned the award for her stellar performance in Binghamton's three-game sweep at Hartford this past weekend.

Phillips went 8-for-9 (.889) against the Hawks, with two doubles, four home runs and 11 RBI. She has now homered in a school-record four consecutive games and is batting a conference-best .520 this season.

"Jessica is off to a great start this year," head coach Michelle Burrell. "She obviously is a big offensive weapon for us but she has also done a great job defensively as well."

In Saturday's doubleheader, Phillips belted her first career grand slam in the first game and homered again in the nightcap. She went 6-for-7 in the twinbill and scored five runs. On Sunday's finale, Phillips went 3-for-3, homered twice, drove in four runs and scored a career-high four times. She now has four career games in which she has belted two home runs.

Through Sunday's games, Phillips also leads the America East with eight home runs and 26 RBI. In addition, her on-base percentage for the season is .619 and her slugging percentage is 1.041.

"Her consistency and power have improved this season," Burrell said. "I expected that after a year of college experience."

This marks the first time that a Bearcat has earned the America East Player of the Week honors twice in one season. She has now been the conference's top player three times during her career (May 3, 2010 and March 14, 2011). Also in her freshman season, she was named the America East Rookie of the Week three times.

Less than halfway through her sophomore season, Phillips has already made her mark on the Binghamton record book. Her 23 career home runs trails only senior Deannie Plemon, who has 26. With 59 career runs batted in, Phillips currently ranks fourth all-time in program history.

Binghamton (10-7, 3-0 AE) travels to St. Bonaventure on Thursday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader. The Bearcats currently rank second in the America East in both batting (.281) and pitching (1.90 ERA).

PLEASE NOTE: Binghamton has been a member of the America East Conference since 2002.