Pacific Lutheran softball player Kaaren Hatlen has been recognized as the Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for her exemplary play with the bat this past week against the University of Puget Sound. 

In PLU's four wins over UPS, Hatlen hit .692 (9-for-13) with two runs scored, four doubles, one homer and seven RBI.  She had a 1.231 slugging percentage and a .963 fielding percentage.  The sophomore from Woodinville, Wash., also earned two wins as the starting pitcher in the second and fourth games of the series against the Loggers, improving her pitching record to 9-3 in 2011.  Over the past eight straight wins for the Lutes, Hatlen is batting .643 with 18 hits, 15 RBI, three homers, six doubles, and six runs. 

Hatlen and the rest of the Lute squad are in action today against Whitworth University in the final NWC series before the conference tournament this weekend.  The Lutes have secured second place, and will play either Whitworth or Willamette University, depending on the outcome of today's final twinbill, in Saturday's opening round. 

Click here for the complete list of this week's Student-Athlete's of the Week.

- PLU -