COLORADO SPRINGS -- BYU sophomore catcher/outfielder Lauren Watson has been named Mountain West Conference Softball Player of the Week. This is her first career weekly honor.
Watson hit .625 (10-for-16) from the plate to lead all players at the New Mexico State Invitational, which the Cougars won with a 5-0 record. She also hit a home run, three doubles and scored six runs, while knocking in four runs. Watson had multiple hits in four of the five games, including a 3-for-3, two runs scored outing against host New Mexico State.
Watson followed that with a 2-for-4, three RBI performance in the Cougars 9-1 win over Connecticut. Watson put the game out of reach in the fourth inning with a two-run homer, her second of the season. She added an RBI single in the sixth to finish the scoring. Watson ended the tournament going 3-for-6 combined against conference foe New Mexico and Texas-San Antonio. She drove in a run and scored a run of her own in the 3-2 victory over the Lobos, while smashing a double and scoring two more runs in the BYU's 8-3 win over Texas-San Antonio.
Watson was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts and improved her batting average to .381 for the season and she leads the Cougars in hits with 32.
The Cougars will open MWC play this Saturday when they host Utah in a doubleheader starting at noon at Gail Miller Field.
Mountain West Conference Players of the Week
Feb. 11 -- Lynsey Wall, Fr., C, Utah
Feb. 18 -- Janna Kovensky, Jr., OF, San Diego State
Feb. 25 -- Ricki Walker, Jr., 1B, Colorado State
Mar. 4 -- Ashley VanBoxmeer, Fr., SS, New Mexico
Mar. 11 -- Joann Figueroa, Jr., 2B, San Diego State
Mar. 18 -- Brooke Cadiente, Sr., OF, BYU
Mar. 25 -- Lauren Watson, So., C/OF, BYU