UT’s Lindsay Schutzler chosen as the SEC player of the week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Lady Vol sophomore Lindsay Schutzler has been chosen as the Southeastern Conference’s Softball Player of the Week after hitting a squad-best .588 (10-of-17) with a home run and three RBI at the Palm Springs Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.  The Monterey, Calif., native’s offensive and defensive efforts were vital as the Orange & White registered a 3-2 record at the event including victories over ranked foes No. 20 Pacific (14-0), No. 22 Oregon State (1-0) and No. 23 Long Beach State (8-0).  The award is the third weekly honor for Tennessee (16-2) during the 2005 campaign as sophomore pitcher Monica Abbott was named as the initial SEC Pitcher of the Week (2/7) and junior Katherine Card received the league’s weekly player of the week award on Feb. 14.   After a hot 3-for-6 start in the wins over No. 20 Pacific and No. 22 Oregon State, Schutzler really got the bat working in the 8-0 triumph over No. 23 Long Beach State with a 3-for-4 effort and an RBI single during a three-run second inning Lady Vol outburst.  Against top-ranked California, the 5’5” sophomore shone brightly on the big stage by scoring once and registering two hits in four plate appearances.  Schutzler also blasted her second career home run, a two-run shot to right field, in the Feb. 27 match up with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as part of a 2-for-3, two RBI performance.  No. 5 Tennessee will hit the road again this week for two scheduled road trips.  On Wed., Mar. 2, the Lady Vols will venture to Cookeville, Tenn., for a doubleheader with in-state foe Tennessee Tech (4 p.m. ET) before heading to Charleston, S.C., for the Charleston Southern Tournament over Mar. 4-6.