March 10, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - For the second straight week, Michigan State softball's Gina Mondo was tabbed the Big Ten's Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday, March 10. The award, which she shares this week with Purdue's Katie Mitchell, is the second on Mondo's career. Michigan State won six of its seven games over spring break, including a 6-1 extra-inning win over No. 13 Baylor, in which Mondo hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth to help seal the victory.

The Orange, Conn., native led the Spartans, batting .423 over the week, with 11 hits in the seven games - including four multi-hit games. With a grand slam and two doubles, the junior recorded eight RBIs and herself crossed the plate on 10 occasions. Additionally, Mondo made good use of her time on base, going five-for-five on stolen base attempts.

Defensively, Mondo contributed 13 putouts, 11 assists and no errors. The third-year starter at second has not committed a fielding error in her last 14 games.

Overall this season, Mondo leads the Spartans in batting at .406, with a team-high six doubles and 26 hits. She has also recorded a hit in all but three games, with her longest hitting streak reaching 10 games (March 1 vs. Longwood - March 9 vs. Illinois-Chicago). Additionally this year, Mondo paces the team in stolen bases (six-for-six).

Michigan State will return to action Saturday and Sunday (March 15-16) when the Spartans travel to DeLand, Fla., for the Stetson Invitational.

Also, read a Q&A with Mondo about her journey coming to Michigan State, and her passion for MSU softball.