Jaycie Cline (East Moline, Ill.) had no trouble seeing the ball at the plate last weekend, as the Quad City Lady Hitmen 12U Red first baseman earned  the 10th ASA Junior Olympic (JO) Player of the Week award, presented by Worth Fastpitch and StudentSports.com.

Announced this week by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball, Cline’s performance helped lead her team to a runner-up finish at the Illinois ASA 12U Class A State Tournament.

“Quite honestly this is my first nomination of any player,” said Quad City Lady Hitmen 12U Red coach Emily Bergeson-Klemmer. “I’ve played this game at an extremely high level, and her performance this weekend was incredible. She’s really stepped up for this team. She’s a leader on and off the field. I can’t think of another player that’s more deserving of this award.”

Cline amassed a .591 batting average (13-for-22) with one home run, three hits for extra bases and an .818 slugging percentage. A big contributor to her team’s success, Cline also scored six runs and knocked in 12 RBI.

“All the hard work for the past four years is paying off,” said Jaycie’s mother Jen Cline. “It’s just amazing to see how talented she is. All of her hard work is paying off, and the time and the practices she goes to. She never gives up.”

Established to recognize JO players 18 years or younger for outstanding play in an ASA/USA sanctioned event, the ASA/USA Softball JO Player of the Week will honor 14 athletes, male or female, from May 9 – August 8 following the conclusion of the ASA/USA JO National Championships.

Nominations will be taken on a week-by-week basis (see below schedule) and will be submitted and accepted through this form found on StudentSportsSoftball.com  until noon ET every Tuesday.

In order to be eligible for the award, athletes must be registered with their local ASA/USA association and must have participated in ASA/USA Softball sanctioned events or tournaments during the week nominated.

2014 ASA/USA Softball JO Player of the Week award schedule 

Week 1 (April 30 – May 6): Faith Willis (Liberty, Mo.) – Originals-Shanks
Week 2 (May 7 – 13): Allie Roberts (Rogers, Minn.) – Northwest Diamonds
Week 3 (May 14 – 20): Jordyn Kadlub – Tampa Mustangs
Week 4 (May 21 – 27): Lauren Mathis (Windermere, Fla.) – Windermere Wildfire
Week 5 (May 28-June 3): Mackenzie Dixon (Huntsville, Texas.) – Huntsville Heat
Week 6 (June 4 – 10): Lauren Gohacki (Finleyville, Pa.) – Pittsburgh Diamond Stars 14U
Week 7 (June 11 – 17): Avery Winchell (New Cumberland, Pa.) – Columbus County Magic Red 12U
Week 8 (June 18 – 24): Morgan Hirai (Pasco, Wash.) – Tri-City Fuzion 12U
Week 9 (June 25 – July 1): Sydney Hoffman (Lewisburg, Pa.) – PA Power Elite 12U
Week 10 (July 2 – 8): Jaycie Cline (East Moline, Ill.) – Quad City Lady Hitmen 12U Red
Week 11 (July 9 – 15): Winner announced July 18
Week 12 (July 16 – 22): Winner announced July 25
Week 13 (July 23 – 29): Winner announced August 1
Week 14 (July 30 – August 5): Winner announced August 8

 

Honorable Mentions:

Abba Frengel (West Pittsburg, Pa.) – Abba’s performance at and behind the plate helped lead Pittsburg Pride – Papik 16U reach the finals in the Battle of the Burgh tournament over the weekend. Abba’s .579 batting average (11-for-19) with seven RBI and a home run played a key role in her team’s success. Abba also had a game-winning three-run home run in the last at bat of the quarterfinals. Behind the plate, Abba had five assists and three put outs on plays at the plate, and she threw out three of the four runners who attempted to steal on her.