Photo by Media Services

UAM Cotton Blossom - Meredith Heckel honored for her performance at HSU/US Army Softball Tournament.

   For the second week in a row, the Gulf-South Conference named a University of Arkansas – Monticello softball player as its West player of the week. This week the honor goes to Meredith Heckel for her performance at the HSU/US Army Tournament. 

   Heckel went 4-7 with three home runs and six RBIs in the two game stretch. Her explosive bat over the weekend helped the Cotton Blossoms extend their win streak to eight games. 

   “At the plate, I am just relaxing and staying back. I think I was getting too anxious earlier in the season,” Heckel said. “It helps to know I have several good hitters in the line up that are going to pick me up if I don't produce, so that takes a lot of pressure off. 

   This is a great honor for me. This is my second Player of the Week. I had one my sophomore year, and I'm glad I am starting to help the team out more. It’s a great feeling, but you can't dwell on it; you have to go out and produce every game. The honor will be gone in a week, and someone else will be crowned,” Heckel continued.  

   Heckel joins teammate Becca Tipton as a GSC Player of the Week. Tipton won the honor last week for her performance in the UAM Super 8 – Subway Classic. 

   “With getting back to back players of the week, hopefully we can start getting more respect,” Heckel said. “It says a lot about our team. We have so much potential and right now, we’re using it. These are quality teams we are playing, and we are rising above and getting the job done. Don't be surprised if we have more players or pitchers of the week in the coming weeks.”