University of North Carolina Athletics
Cox Named ACC Softball Player of the Week
March 17, 2003 | Softball
March 17, 2003
GREENSBORO, N.C. - After guiding Carolina to its longest winning streak of the season at eight games, freshman pitcher Crystal Cox (Harrisburg, N.C.) earned her first Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week honor today announced by the league office. Cox improved to 10-6 on the season with one save, having a 4-0 week with three shutouts.
Cox began the week with a three-hitter against Furman, striking out 12 batters in the game. She bettered that performance the next day versus crosstown rival Charlotte, striking out 11 in her one-hit shutout.
At the Hokie Fastpitch Club Classic, Cox threw her third complete-game of the week, striking out eight and allowing three runs (two earned) for her third victory of the week. In the battle of two undefeated teams at the tournament, Cox shut down Coastal Carolina, throwing six innings, allowing one hit and striking out seven Lady Chants. To clinch the tournament title, Cox entered the Virginia Tech game in the seventh with runners at second and third with one out, leading 4-2. Cox proceeded to get two of the next three hitters (one reached on an error) to give UNC a 4-3 win, picking up her first save of the season.
Cox, along with teammates Dionne Streete (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Megan Welch (Anaheim Hills, Calif.), was named to the all-tournament team. She finished 2-0 at the tourney with one save.
Cox threw 27.2 innings, allowing 10 hits, three runs (two earned), had an ERA of 0.51 and struck out 38 hitters for the week.
North Carolina will remain on the road heading to Marietta, Ga., for the Buzz Classic March 21-23. The Tar Heels will battle Tennessee Tech, Harvard, Mercer and Charleston Southern in pool play.
