Caryn Bailey cruises her way to Collegiate Player of the Week

After helping her Hofstra Pride to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Conference Tournament title, Caryn Bailey (Elizabethtown, Pa.) has earned her first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honors the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball announced this week.

An All-CAA First Team Selection, Bailey played a large role in helping the Pride twice beat No. 17 James Madison to capture the program’s third CAA title in the past four seasons while clenching its fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.

“The award is very special and I’m very thankful and humbled by the recognition, “ Bailey said. “What my team accomplished this week still has not completely sunk in. Any personal success I had was thanks to my teammates for keeping us in every single game, and to my coaches for preparing me for every situation that would come my way.”

Bailey was an absolute force to be reckoned with at the plate over four games at the CAA Championship, where she homered twice in back-to-back games to open the tournament.  In their first game of the tournament, Bailey hit a solo shot to centerfield in her first plate appearance.  She followed with a three run homer in her next at-bat and an infield single, going 3-for-3 in a 10-0 (five inning) win over Elon.  She was just as impressive in a 5-3 Hofstra win over James Madison, where she went 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBI.  In addition to her solo home run that tied the game in the top of the fourth inning, she also knocked out a three-run, two out home run in the top of the seventh inning.  The clutch shot gave the Pride a 5-3 win and sent them into the Championship Game.

In the remaining two games against the Dukes, Bailey was walked a total of five times and scored one run, largely being pitched around as the Pride went on to upset the top-seeded Dukes.

“What an honor this is for Caryn and the Hofstra Softball program,” Hofstra Head Coach Larissa Anderson said.  “It is such a privilege for me to be able to coach such a tremendous athlete and person.  What makes this honor even more special is the timing of this award.  She’s worked so hard to improve, and to see that effort come to fruition in the conference tournament makes it even more rewarding. She played a huge role in our CAA championship run.”

For the week, Bailey had four home runs with eight RBI and six runs scored.  She also boasted a 2.000 slugging percentage while batting .667 (6-for-9) with a .786 on-base percentage.  She also recorded 18 total bases, which in addition to her four home runs set a new CAA Championship record.

This is the first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honors for Bailey and is the first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honors for an athlete from since Week Nine of the 2013 season when Olivia Galati earned the honors.  Hofstra will now head to Gainesville, Fla. for the NCAA Regionals where they will take on Florida Atlantic, Florida A&M and the top seeded No. 1 Florida Gators.

2015 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week
Week 1 (Feb. 5-8): Taylor Schoblocher – North Texas – Junior – Utility – Forney, Texas
Week 2 (Feb. 9-15): Lauren Haeger – Florida – Senior – Pitcher/1B – Peoria, Ariz.
Week 3 (Feb. 16-22): Jenna Lilley – Oregon – Freshman – Infield – North Canton, Ohio
Week 4 (Feb. 23 – March 1): Sierra Lawrence – Michigan – Junior – Outfield – Snellville, Ga.
Week 5 (March 2-8): Emily Carosone – Auburn – Junior – Outfield – Orlando, Fla.
Week 6 (March 9-15): Bianka Bell – LSU – Junior – Infield – Tampa, Fla.
Week 7 (March 16-22): Megan Good – James Madison – Freshman – Pitcher/Infielder – Mount Sidney, Va.
Week 8 (March 23-29): Geri Ann Glasco – Oregon – Junior – DP/Pitcher – Watkinsville, Ga.
Week 9 (March 30 – April 5): Shelby Turnier – UCF – Junior – Pitcher – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Week 10 (April 6-12): Paige Parker – OU – Freshman – Pitcher – Independence, Mo.
Week 11 (April 13-19): Lexie Elkins – Louisiana-Lafayette – Junior – Catcher – Victoria, Texas
Week 12 (April 20-26): Savannah Horvath – CSUN – Freshman – Infield – Las Vegas, Nev.
Week 13 (April 27 – May 3): Sara Groenewegen – Minnesota – Sophomore – Pitcher/DP – White Rock, B.C., Canada
Week 14 (May 4-10): Caryn Bailey – Hofstra – Junior – Outfield – Elizabethtown, Pa.

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Note: the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player and Pitcher of the Week selections have concluded for the year.