University of Kentucky shortstop Brooke Marnitz has been named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, it was announced today. Marnitz becomes the sixth Wildcat to earn the honor and the first since the 2003 season.
Marnitz helped the Wildcats to a 3-2 record over the weekend at Baylor?s Getterman Classic and set a new NCAA record for hits in consecutive at-bats with 12 straight hits dating back to the final two games of 2006 against Mississippi State. She reached base in 17 consecutive plate appearances with five walks included in the streak. Marnitz started the 2007 season by going 9-9 at the plate with two walks, two doubles, two home runs, a triple and nine RBI. Her six RBI in the win over Southern Miss were a career-high and tied a UK single-game record. The Lexington native also extended her hitting streak to seven games, a new career high.
Marnitz was 4-for-4 in the season opening win over Stephen F. Austin and was a home run shy of the cycle with two singles, a double, a triple. Marnitz also scored twice, stole a base and drove in two runs in the win over SFA. She went 2-for-2 with a walk and her first home run of the season in the win over Texas A&M-CC. She scored three runs against the Islanders and drove in a run in that win. Marnitz followed that game with a 3-for-3 performance against Southern Miss, homering for the second straight game to raise her career total to 12 which ranks her fifth on UK?s all-time list. She also doubled in that win and scored twice, while driving in a single-game UK record six RBI tying the record held by Leslie Kwiatkowski since the 2000 season. Her consecutive hits and on-base streaks were snapped when the Wildcats faced No. 18 Baylor and Gatorade National High School Player of the Year Kirsten Shortridge.
Marnitz finished the weekend with a team-high .643 batting average, going 9-for-14 at the plate. She led the team with nine RBI, two homeruns and 19 total bases to go along with a 1.357 slugging percentage. Marnitz doubled twice, tripled and stole a base. She struck out just once during the five-game span.
Marnitz and the Wildcats return to action this weekend, Feb. 17-18, when they host Maine in a three-game series. The home opener is set to begin with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at the UK Softball Complex.
