SEWARD, Neb. – The hot bat of Autumn Owens helped the Concordia softball team to an impressive 9-1 record during its stay at the Tucson Invitational (March 6-11). On Tuesday the sophomore third baseman was recognized as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Softball Player of the Week. It’s the first conference award in the career of Owens.
A native of Henderson, Nev., Owens is off to a big start for third-year head coach Todd LaVelle’s squad. While starting all 10 games at third base at the Tucson Invitational, Owens went 16-for-32 (.500) with three home runs, two doubles, six runs, 14 RBIs and an .844 slugging percentage. She played the role of hero in the 5-4 win over the University of Michigan-Dearborn on March 6 when she delivered a walk-off RBI single. She also singled in the game-tying run in a come-from-behind victory over the University of Great Falls on March 7.
On the year, Owens leads the team in home runs (4), RBIs (19), total bases (37) and slugging percentage (.841). She also ranks second in batting average (.477). Among all hitters nationally, Owens ranks 21st in slugging percentage and 22nd in RBIs per game. Last season as a freshman, Owens batted .289 with four home runs and 17 RBIs as Concordia advanced to the opening round of the NAIA national championships for the second-straight year.
Owens and company (12-3 overall record) also rank highly nationally in several team categories, including third in hits per game (10.7), third in batting average (.385), fourth in slugging (.545) and fourth in runs per game (8.3). The Bulldogs are set to return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Bethany College (Kan.) (8-16) for a 4 p.m. doubleheader in Lindsborg, Kan.