HAMMOND, La. – After helping the Southeastern Louisiana softball team to a 5-0 start at the season-opening Lion Classic, Madisen Blackford was named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week in an announcement from the league office Tuesday.
 
Blackford, a junior from Des Moines, Iowa, earned the second weekly honor of her career. The preseason first team All-Southland selection received her second conference weekly honor, having previously taken home the award on April 8, 2019.
 
Blackford was the top hitter for a Southeastern team that finished the opening weekend with a .400 team batting average and outscored opponents, 43-14. Blackford led the Lady Lions with a .538 batting average, three triples and seven RBI in the five wins.
 
She drove in two runs in wins over Buffalo and Alabama State on Friday. In Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning victory over UT Martin, she singled home the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. She added a triple and two RBI in Sunday's 10-2 triumph over Grambling.
 
Central Arkansas freshman Kayla Beaver earned league Pitcher of the Week honors with SLU freshman MC Comeaux earning honorable mention recognition.
 
Up Next
Southeastern will close out a six-game home stand to open the season on Wednesday, hosting UAB at 6 p.m. at North Oak Park. The Southeastern Sports Network will offer a free video stream of Wednesday's contest. Tune in online at www.LionSports.net or the Lions Game Day Experience app for Android or iOS devices. Fans can also watch on Southeastern's YouTube channel (/SLUathletics) with any mobile, tablet or smart TV device (e.g., Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Roku).
 
The first 75 fans through the gates will receive a "Lion Up or Leave" rally towel to wave when the Lady Lions hit a home run throughout the season.  Celebrate Valentine's Day early at North Oak Park with a couple's ticket as the Lady Lions host the Blazers. Two general admission tickets will be available for $8 and reserved chair backs will be available for $15.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on Twitter and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events (softball, baseball, football and basketball), effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.