Official BIG EAST Release

Villanova, Pa. - Three Villanova softball players earned BIG EAST Weekly awards Monday, as announced by the conference office.

Sophomore Nikki Alden was named BIG EAST Softball Player of the Week while senior pitcher Kate Poppe and junior third baseman Lauren Herschberg earned weekly honor roll honors.

For the week, Alden was 5-for-13 (.384) with seven RBI's, four homeruns, and four runs scored. Alden's four homeruns came against conference foe Creighton. Her slugging percentage was at a whopping 1.308. The Ivyland, Pa. native is hitting .366 on the year with a team high seven homeruns.

Poppe (16-9) was 4-0 for the week and compiled an ERA of 0.70 in 30.0 innings pitched. Overall, she struck out 36 batters to raise her season total 152. With the 4-2 win over Creighton on Sunday, Poppe is now Villanova's all-time leader in complete games with 76. In three BIG EAST games, Poppe went 3-0 with an ERA of 0.91.

Herschberg was 9-for-21 with five RBI's, one homeruns, and two doubles last week. Herschberg, who hails from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., is hitting a team-high .384 on the year, and she leads Villanova in hits with 48.

As a team, Villanova went 6-0, scored 23 total runs, and belted out 43 hits.

The 'Cats will return to action this Wednesday as they travel to central New Jersey to face Rider. Game one starts at 3:00 p.m. with game two to follow at 5:00 p.m.

Be sure to follow the team socially on Twitter @VUSoftball, Instagram @novasoftball and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news scores and highlights from the Wildcats throughout the season.