For the No. 3 team in the nation, a week of dominance did not go unnoticed by its league. Auburn's Kasey Cooper has been named the SEC Softball Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 21-28. In six games, she had a .438 batting average with 11 hits, 11 RBI and seven runs, helping the Tigers outscore their opponents 73-3.
"It's a great feeling," Cooper said. "I feel like we all played really well. We showed what Auburn is about and what we're capable of. This time it was me, and next time it's going to be another teammate."
Cooper has had a terrific start to the 2016 season, as she leads the team in home runs (six) and RBI (26). She has actually been surprised by the success, as she did not see such a hot start coming.
"It's just a credit to my teammates and my coaches because they've gotten my swing where it needs to be and my teammates are there before and after me to pick it up and make it work," Cooper said.
Head coach Clint Myers hasn't been quite as surprised by the junior's success.
"Kasey Cooper's always been a leader," Myers said. "Having her in the lineup makes coaching a lot easier. She's a phenomenal defensive player and a phenomenal offensive player. She can go out there and, just with her presence, change the demeanor and the energy level of what we've got to do."
"She's the unspoken leader, but everyone keeps their eyes on Kasey," Myers said.
The Dothan, Alabama, native is also on the verge of history. She has 42 home runs in her career, which is tied for the school's all-time record. Her next homer will put her all alone at first place.
The prospects of breaking the record excite Cooper, but that's not because of personal glory.
"It just means I'm setting a foundation for future success," Cooper said. "Records are there to be broken. I'm going to do my best to put a good swing on a great pitch and set a record that'll be broken."
Cooper will have a chance to break the record at UAB at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
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