March 31, 2004

VILLANOVA, PA. - Villanova senior second baseman Ricci Lugo was honored by the ECAC on Tuesday with its Division I softball player of the week award. The announcement came a day after the San Clemente, Calif. native was recognized as the Big East Co-Player of the Week for her .455 batting average last weekend, which included three hits in five at-bats in a doubleheader sweep of Providence.

The Eastern College Athletic Conference has 317 member institutions in Divisions I, II and III, ranging from Maine to North Carolina. This marks the first time during the 2004 season that a Villanova softball player has been recognized by the ECAC.

Lugo's performance lifted the Wildcats to a 3-1 weekend. Against the Friars on Saturday, she went 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI, three runs scored, a sacrifice fly and a walk. In a win over Temple on Sunday, Lugo went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. She was also perfect on 12 defensive chances last week.

Villanova, 11-12 on the season, travels to Pittsburgh for a Big East doubleheader on Friday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m.