In her team’s first appearance at a state tournament, Mackenzie Dixon led the team in home runs earning her the fifth ASA Junior Olympic (JO) Player of the Week award, presented by Worth Fastpitch and StudentSports.com, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/ USA Softball announced today.

Dixon’s performance at the plate helped her team to finish seventh out of 57 teams at the Texas ASA 8U “South” State Tournament.

“I am super proud of Mackenzie and her commitment to excellence at such a young age,” said Head Coach Jake Dixon. “She really pulled through for her team at the plate and with her stellar defense at short stop at the Texas ASA state tournament this past weekend.  We are looking forward to many more good things to come from this talented young lady.”

In the tournament, Dixon maintained a .500 batting average (8-for-16) and tallied eight hits including three doubles and three home runs. Dixon’s weekend performance was highlighted by her grand slam and 3-run home run.  The shortstop also produced 15 RBI and scored eight runs.

Dixon excelled in defense as well making several double plays and averaged five outs a game. For her efforts, Dixon will receive a brand new Worth bat, courtesy of Worth Fastpitch.

“I am very excited to win this award,” said Dixon. “I love softball and am always trying to learn more and get better at both batting and fielding.  Last weekend was my first time to play at a state tournament and I was proud that I was able to help my team both offensively and defensively.”

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): Winner announced June 13
Week 7 (June 11 – 17): Winner announced June 20
Week 8 (June 18 – 24): Winner announced June 27
Week 9 (June 25 – July 1): Winner announced July 4
Week 10 (July 2 – 8): Winner announced July 11
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:

Annika Litterio (San Antonio, Texas) – Annika helped lead her Texas Roadrunners to four wins at the Texas challenge with 21 innings pitched. In Litterio’s 18 at-bats, she produced eight hits with two doubles and one triple. Litterio scored nine runs and brought in 16 RBI.

Kaelyn Leverson (Atlanta, Ill.) – Kaelyn produced four shutouts in the 2014 QC Summer Blast and held an ERA of .130 in 23 innings pitched. Leverson only allowed seven runs and tallied 24 strikeouts total for her Oly Fire 12U Red team.

Alecandra Fankhauser (Louisville, Ohio) – Haylee had a stellar performance at the plate holding a 1.058 slugging percentage at the 2014 Summer Starter ASA Eastern National Qualifer. With 18 at-bats, she maintained a batting average of .705 producing eight runs, eight hits and eight RBI.