North Carolina State University Athletics
Sims Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA Co-Player of Week
4/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State pitcher Abbie Sims and Oklahoma shortstop Savannah Long have been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA co-National Players of the Week for the week ending April 22, the association announced Wednesday.
Sims tossed a perfect game and three complete-game shutouts as the Pack picked up five wins on the week and moved back into the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Softball Poll.
She kicked off the week by hurling her second career perfect game and second no-hitter in as many starts in a victory over Campbell, striking out 14 in the winning effort. She faced 72 batters on the week, not allowing a run on eight hits with 23 strikeouts and three walks.
Sims, who moved to 24-5 on the year, closed out the week by picking up two victories on in-state conference rival North Carolina as the Wolfpack swept a third straight ACC series and ran its school-record win streak to 15 games.
The senior opened the three-game set with the Tar Heels by hurling a complete-game shutout in which she surrendered three hits and struck out seven. The Artesia, N.M., native clinched the sweep the following day as she tossed another complete-game blanking, allowing five hits while striking out a pair.
Oklahoma's Long takes the honor for the third time this season, hitting .385 for the week with three home runs and five RBIs in sweeps of No. 10 Baylor and Nebraska.
Ironically, Sims tossed her second of four no-hitters this season against Oklahoma on Mach 16 at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif. In the showdown between the Sooners and the Pack, Sims struck out Long during all three of her at-bats.
The accolade marks the second time of Sims' career, both coming this season, that she has been named a national player of the week. She was tabbed USA Softball National Player of the week earlier this season for the week of March 12-18 after no-hitting then No. 6 Oklahoma and beating then No.2 Arizona State.
Sims is the first player in NC State history to win either of the two awards.
Earlier this week Sims was tabbed ACC Player of the Week for the fourth time on the season, eighth of her career.
