March 20, 2018
Oklahoma City, Okla. - For her outstanding efforts on both sides of the ball, San José State's Madison Aurin (Bakersfield, Calif.) was named the USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week, USA Softball announced today. Aurin had a perfect weekend in the circle in addition to a strong offensive showing in the batters box to help San José State to a 4-0 record.
"First of all, I'm very proud to earn this award as a player, but also for my teammates and for San José State," said Aurin. "I have to acknowledge and thank my teammates because without them I couldn't have received this honor. This is so exciting. I haven't pitched in a couple of years, but it was a necessity for us this year and I took it as a challenge. I just want to help my team no matter what position coach needs me be play. I enjoy being able to contribute any way I can to the success of our team."
Starting off the week with a 3-1 win over Fairleigh Dickinson, Aurin entered the game in the sixth inning with the bases loaded to get her team out of a jam. She retired six of the final seven batters she faced, allowing just one walk to earn her second save of the season. In her next appearance in the circle, Aurin pitched a 5-2 complete game victory over San Diego State, giving up just three hits while striking out a career-high six batters. In the 9-1 five-inning win to complete a three-game sweep of San Diego State, Aurin surrendered just two hits with two strikeouts.
"We've asked Madison to do a lot of things that she hasn't done for several years and if she hadn't been able to step into the circle and really be our leader, I don't know how successful our season would be," said San José State Head Coach, Pete Turner. "We are asking her to do it at the plate, defensively, and now pitching, and it has worked out to be one of the best decisions we've made this year. The success she has enjoyed, which is reflected by this recognition, is a testament to the time and work she has put in to be successful."
For the week, Aurin had a 1.00 ERA in 14 innings while stifling opponents to a .108 (5-for-46) batting average. In four games as a hitter, Aurin went 4-for-12 (.333) with three runs scored, nine RBI and hit three, three-run home runs.
This is Aurin's first USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week award and just the second time in program history that a Spartan has been recognized for this honor. Jessie Hufstetler earned the honor in 2016.
2018 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week
Week 1 (Feb. 8-11): Vanessa Shippy - Oklahoma State - Senior - Infield - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Week 2 (Feb. 12-18): Kylee Hanson - Florida State - RS Senior - Pitcher - Jupiter, Fla.
Co-Week 3 (Feb. 19-25): Kelly Barnhill - Florida - Junior - Pitcher - Marietta, Ga.
Co-Week 3 (Feb. 19-25): Rachel Garcia - UCLA - RS Sophomore - Pitcher - Palmdale, Calif.
Week 4 (Feb. 26-March 4): Jessica Hartwell - Texas Tech - Junior - Infield - Galt, Calif.
Week 5 (March 5-11): Alexis Osorio - Alabama - Senior - Pitcher - Riverside, Calif.
Week 6 (March 12-18): Madison Aurin - San José State - Junior - Pitcher/IF - Bakersfield, Calif.