Texas Tech softball’s Karli Hamilton has been named Big 12 Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.
It marks Hamilton’s first career weekly honor for the redshirt sophomore outfielder. She becomes the third Red Raider honored by the Big 12 this season, joining junior Jessica Hartwell (March 5) and freshman Erin Edmoundson (Feb. 26).
Hamilton, a Houston native, went 7-for-9 at the plate with a three-run home run, two walks and a stolen base during Tech’s three-game sweep at Kansas. Her .778 average and .818 on-base percentage led the conference in week 12, while her five runs scored were tied for the league lead and her 1.111 slugging percentage came in at third.
“Karli has done such an excellent job of demanding the most of herself every single day,” head coach Adrian Gregory said. “She spends extra time in the cage and is always watching video to get better. No one is more deserving than her. She came through huge for our team this weekend, and I am very excited for her to also get recognized for her individual accomplishments.”
Hamilton, who hit safely in all three games and carries an 11-game hit streak overall, fueled a Red Raider offensive onslaught that posted 32 hits in Lawrence. She enjoyed a 2-for-4 day with a run in the series opener, before opening up a 3-for-3 day with a three-run dinger in Tech’s 11-7 win on Saturday. She accounted for the lone run scored in Sunday’s 1-0 shutout win while going 2-for-2 with a walk.
Over the last 10 games, Hamilton is hitting a team-best .529 with a slugging percentage at 1.029. After sitting out 2017 with an injury, the captain has started all 49 games in rightfield this season.
This marks the first time Tech has had three players earn weekly awards from the Big 12 when Jordan Bettiol, Devon Thomey and Cara Custer all earned a nod in 2015.
Hamilton and the Red Raiders return to action on Tuesday, May 1, in the regular-season home finale against Abilene Christian at 6 p.m. from Rocky Johnson Field.
COURTESY OF TEXAS TECH ATHLETICS