Bogado named National College Player of the week

IU senior Mariangee Bogado was named the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week by the USA Softball office for the week ending May 7. The award is IU's and Bogado's first-ever selection since the award's inception five years ago. \n"It means a lot," said Bogado. "I've been working hard, and it is huge for me and my family to be recognized outside of my country. It's good to be making history."\nBogado earned the national award after she led the Hoosiers to a pair of wins over arch rival Purdue by doing it from both sides of the plate. She started both games and struck out 14 batters in her 13 innings of work while allowing only seven hits in the series. Her pitching effort allowed the Hoosiers to out-hit Purdue 15-7.\nShe posted a 1.08 ERA and gave up two earned runs while holding the opposing batters to a .152 batting average. \nBogado also literally stepped up to the plate when her team needed her most. She posted a .667 batting average, including a four-for-six effort in the Purdue series. In game one, she drew two walks and went two-for-two in her remaining at bats. In game two, she went two-for-four, including two runs and a double. \n"(Bogado) is probably one of the most athletic players in the conference," IU head coach Stacey Phillips said. "She pitches at a high velocity, but her pitching helps her hit well because she thinks like a pitcher when batting. She's just a phenomenal athlete."\nThe wins over Purdue propelled the Hoosiers into their first appearance in the Big Ten Tournament since 1996 and pushed IU over the 25 win mark, just the third time it has ever accomplished that feat. IU also recorded its highest Big Ten win output since 1997 with eight wins in conference play. \n"She was extremely important versus Purdue," said Phillips. "She helped catapult the team into the Big Ten Tournament and achieve the goal we set along time ago." \nIU begins its tournament slate at 10 a.m., Friday when it takes on No. 3-seeded Iowa in the first round in Evanston, Ill., at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. \n"We not only want to be there," said Bogado. "We want to be there and beat some teams"