FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Holden, Sports Info. Director
(540) 365-4306

March 15, 2004


Ferrum Athletes Earn USA South Honors
Six Athletes Earn Player of the Week Awards
 
Ferrum, Va. -- Six Ferrum College student-athletes have been honored as Players of the Week by the USA South Athletic Conference for their performances in last week's contests.  Included are three softball awards, two men's tennis awards, one baseball awards, and one women's tennis award.

Freshman Kim Cox (Gladys, Va./William Campbell) has been named Rookie Pitcher of the Week.  Cox went 3-0 from the mound for the Panthers.  She defeated Shenandoah 15-1, Guilford 8-0 and Frostburg 8-4.  She also pitched in a 10-2 win over Seton Hill and a 2-1 victory over Huntingdon.  She gave up nine hits, allowing just two runs, while striking out 14 batters and walking only one.  She posted a .53 ERA during the games.  Also nominated for Rookie Pitcher of the Week were Brittany Estep of Averett University, Jessica Hutzell of Methodist College, and Heather Dobbins of Peace College.
 
Cox also earned Rookie of the Week for her play at the plate as designated player.  She batted .364 with six RBI over the course of Ferrum's 6-0 week.  Also nominated for Rookie of the Week were Jenna Smith of Peace and Caryn Moreland of Methodist.

Also earning softball honors was junior Stacy Porter (Radford, Radford), who has been named Softball Player of the Week.  Porter was instrumental in the Panthers going 6-0 last week.  She hit a.550 with 13 RBI and a home run as Ferrum defeated Shenandoah University twice, Seton Hill University, Guilford College, Huntingdon College, and Frostburg State University.  Also nominated were Niki Dobbins of Peace College, CJ McQueen of Christopher Newport University, and Kim McCall of Methodist.

Freshman Curtis Taylor (Glen Allen, Va./Hermitage) has been named Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week.  Taylor pitched seven innings, giving up no runs and allowing only four hits in a 1-0 win over Chowan College March 13.  He struck out five Braves in the contest.  This was Taylor's second consecutive Rookie Pitcher of the Week award.  Also nominated was Josh Keller of Methodist.

Sophomore Gabe Zakkak (Midland, Va./Liberty) has been named Men's Tennis Player of the Week.  Zakkak went 4-0 at #1 singles and 4-0 at #1 doubles last week.  Zakkak also went 4-0 at #1 singles and 4-0 at #1 doubles, and earned Player of the Week last week  Also nominated was Sirsean Arlain of Averett. 

Freshman Walter Basten (Lynchburg, Va./New Vistas) has been named Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week.  Basten went 4-0 at #2 singles and 4-0 at #1 doubles.  Basten helped Ferrum go 4-0 last week, and also earned Rookie of the Week last week.  Also nominated were Jose Licera of Averett and PG Krane of Greensboro College.

Rounding out Ferrum's honorees is freshman Natalie Edmondson (Hamilton, Va./Loudoun Valley) who has been named Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week.  Edmondson won at #3 singles in Ferrum's 6-3 win over USA South opponent Shenandoah University March 13.

Ferrum's baseball team is currently 15-3, while the softball team is 8-6, men's tennis is 10-2, and women's tennis is 1-1.  For more information, please contact the Ferrum College Sports Information Office at (540) 365-4306.
 
 
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