Heather Johnson leads the BIG EAST with 16 RBI in league play.

Senior Heather Johnson Named BIG EAST Player Of The Week

April 12, 2010

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame senior third baseman Heather Johnson was named the BIG EAST Conference Softball Player of the Week after she helped the Fighting Irish hold on to its unblemished conference record with a three-game sweep of USF, the league announced Monday afternoon. With Johnson’s second such accolade of the season, Notre Dame has now been awarded five of the eight player of the week awards dished out by the BIG EAST.

Johnson showed she could play under pressure as she went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a solo home run and a sacrifice fly in a nationally televised victory over USF (April 10) on CBS College Sports. She continued her strong play in game two of the doubleheader, blasting her first career grand slam and finishing with five RBI.

For the week the third baseman totaled seven RBI while hitting .500, slugging 1.500 and recording an on-base mark of .500.

Junior pitcher Jody Valdivia was named to the league’s honor roll after going 2-0 for the week including a one-hitter to cap a three-game sweep of USF, her 13th shutout of the season.

No. 23 Notre Dame (29-6 overall, 8-0 BIG EAST) faces Georgetown in a league doubleheader on Wednesday (April 14) at Melissa Cook Stadium.

–ND–