BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Following an impressive close to the season, sophomore first baseman
Esperanza Coe (Beaumont, Calif.) has been named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball Hitter of the Week as announced by the league on Tuesday, May 4.
Coe delivered her best week of the season, hitting .583 (7-of-12) and slugging 1.333 with four runs, three doubles and 17 RBIs in four games. Those four games were all wins over Mississippi Valley State, the program's first four-game sweep since 2006.
Beginning with a make up game that actually saw MVSU as the home team, Coe went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored as part of a 3-1 victory on Friday, April 29. She would then anchor a commanding 13-2 victory in the nightcap as she went 2-for-3 with a double, homerun, two runs and a pair of RBIs.
Coe would continue to be a factor as the Bulldogs made a push to secure a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament berth, needing to win all four to have a chance.
She would help keep those hopes alive both at the plate and in the circle, hurling a complete game in which she allowed just one run, one walk and four hits. Coe would also go 2-for-3 with another homerun, sacrifice fly, a run and three more RBIs in an effort that led to a 7-1 victory.
Going for the sweep and down 4-0 in the fifth, Coe would come through in the clutch as she doubled home the go-ahead runs in what would be a 5-4 sweep clinching victory. Coe would finish the day with those two RBIs and yet another hit.
Her play helped A&M to the first four-game series sweep since taking four from Texas Southern 17 years ago from February 24-25 in 2006.
It is the third such honor for the Bulldogs this season as Coe joins junior infielder
Venice Sanders (Birmingham, Ala.) who earned the recognition on April 6 and freshman outfielder
Allyson Riches (San Diego, Calif.) on April 26.
This marks the sixth career weekly honor for Coe in just two seasons, including five as a freshman a year ago. She previously was named Co-Pitcher of the Week (3/25/21), Co-Hitter of the Week (4/23/21), Hitter of the Week (4/1/21) and swept both awards on April 7, 2021.
2022 Alabama A&M SWAC Weekly Honors (3)
Venice Sanders, Hitter of the Week (4/6)
Allyson Riches, Hitter of the Week (4/26)
Esperanza Coe, Hitter of the Week (5/4)
