Cottey's Cruz earns A.I.I. Pitcher of the Week honors

Cottey College's Lacey Cruz delivers one of many strikes during her season-opening perfect game two weeks ago against the University of Saint Mary. Cruz earned the Association of Independent Institutions' Softball Pitcher of the Week award for her effort.

File photo by Hank Layton | Daily Mail Sports Reporter

Cottey College's Lacey Cruz has another award to add to her proverbial trophy case — assuming there's still room.

After pitching the softball program's first-ever perfect game in a season-opening shutout against the University of Saint Mary on Feb. 5, the sophomore hurler was named the Association of Independent Institutions' Softball Pitcher of the Week.

Cruz struck out nine of the 15 batters she faced and didn't let a ball reach the outfield during her dominant, run rule-shortened performance.

Cruz appears to have picked up right where she left off from last season, when she only lost one game in the circle and was named to the A.I.I. All-Conference Team.

Georgia Gwinnett College junior Holly Janco earned A.I.I. Hitter of the Week honors after opening her season 5-for-8 at the plate.