March 18, 2008

IRVING, Texas-- Val Chapple (Kansas) and Meagan Denny (Texas) have been named the Big 12 Player and Pitcher of the Week for games of March 11-18, the conference announced. Denny is receiving her fifth career weekly award, while this is the first honor for Chapple.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Val Chapple, Kansas, 3B, Jr., Overland Park, Kan./Olathe East
Chapple went 7-for-8 at the plate, including four home runs and a double, in three games last weekend as she batted a team-best .875 to help the Jayhawks post a 3-0 record in their own Kansas Invitational and improve to 21-6 overall. The junior also batted in 13 runs and scored eight, while collecting 20 total bases for a 2.500 slugging percentage.

Chapple tied a school record with three home runs in the first game of a doubleheader against Buffalo. She went 3-for-3 at the plate with two-run homers in the first, third and fourth innings in the Jayhawks' 9-0, five-inning victory. The three roundtrippers also rank second nationally as she becomes the 35th player in NCAA history to hit three homers in a single game. Chapple again went 3-for-3 in game two against the Bulls, adding another homer and four RBI.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Meagan Denny, Texas, RHP, Sr., Crowley, Texas/Crowley
Denny made five appearances in Texas' six games at the Spring Fling Tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Longhorn senior posted a 2-0 record and recorded a save, while tossing 21.2 innings for the week. She allowed just two runs, posted a 0.65 ERA and fanned 30 batters. Denny also tossed a complete game shutout against No. 16 Hawaii, surrendering just four hits in 7.0 innings of work, while walking none and striking out 10. In the tournament championship game, the senior came on in the sixth inning and tossed two scoreless innings, struck out four and earned the no-decision as Texas and North Carolina tied.

2008 BIG 12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 12 -- Amber Flores, Oklahoma, So., OF
Feb. 19 -- Jordan Daniels, Baylor, Sr., 1B/DP
Feb. 25 -- Tallie Thrasher, Texas, So., DP
March 4 -- Rhea Taylor, Missouri, Fr., CF
March 10 -- Lindsey Ubrun, Missouri, Jr., 3B
March 18 -- Val Chapple, Kansas, Jr., 3B

2008 BIG 12 PITCHERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 12 -- D.J. Mathis, Oklahoma, Jr. , LHP
Feb. 19 -- Megan Gibson, Texas A&M, Sr., 1B/P
Feb. 25 -- D.J. Mathis, Oklahoma, Jr., LHP
March 4 -- Megan Gibson, Texas A&M, Sr., 1B/P
March 10 -- Megan Gibson, Texas A&M, Sr., 1B/P
March 18 -- Meagan Denny, Texas, Sr., RHP