Herdliska bat powering Jacks in her first season

For her excellent performance at the plate this weekend against Omaha and all season long, Softball player Ali Herdliska is this week’s Collegian Sports Athlete of the Week.

Herdliska, a freshman infielder and catcher from Solon, Iowa, hit two home runs in the Jackrabbits’ walk-off loss in their series finale at Omaha this weekend.

She launched a two-run shot in the third inning and padded the Jacks lead with a solo blast in the fourth, crediting her with three runs-batted-in of the Jacks four total runs.

Herdliska now has 12 total home runs on the year, which is top on the 14-24 Jacks’ team that includes SDSU career home run record-holder Devan Larsen.

Larsen also holds the single season record at 16, but with 18 games remaining in the regular season, Herdliska looks poised to break that.

The Jackrabbits softball team begins a 12-game home stand on Wednesday with a double-header against Kansas City at 1 p.m. at the Jackrabbit Softball Stadium.