MONTGOMERY — The top-ranked Auburn Montgomery softball team swept the Southern States Athletic Conference weekly awards, when the league announced sophomore standout Kayla Hale as the Player of the Week and senior hurler Cassie Jones (Daniels) as the Pitcher of the Week Monday.

Hale, a Montgomery native, earned the distinction for the first time in her career, while Dallas County High School alumnus Jones was selected for the honor for the sixth time. The duo helped the Warhawks finish the week with a 5-1 record, including wins against No. 4 Lindsey Wilson and No. 7 LSU-Alexandria.

In six games last week, Hale posted a .333 batting average, collecting six hits in 16 at bats. Of her six hits, three were home runs, including a walk-off grand slam against LSU-Alexandria in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The grand slam was her second home run of the game against the Generals. Hale also went deep later in the day against Ave Maria.

Hale drove in eight runs on the week, worked four walks, scored four times and added a stolen base. She posted a slugging percentage of .833 in the six games. In addition to her success at the plate, Hale also earned a complete-game victory against the Generals in the circle and tossed four one-hit innings against the Blue Raiders.

For the year, Hale sports a .321 batting average with 10 RBIs and five runs scored. Her three home runs ranks third in the league, while her RBI total is fifth. She is 1-1 in the circle with a 3.92 earned run average, striking out 21 in 25 innings.

Jones finished the week 4-1 with a 1.82 earned run average, striking out 50 hitters in 29 2/3 innings. She allowed just 13 hits, limiting opponents to a .133 batting average.

The Valley Grande, Ala., native opened the week with consecutive shutouts, earning a 2-0 win against Bellevue and a 4-0 victory over Park.

She followed with a complete game win over Ave Maria, before earning a relief win against Lindsey Wilson. Despite picking up her first loss in extra innings against No. 14 Central Methodist, Jones tallied 10 or more strikeouts in four of her five appearances, including a season-high 15 against the Bruins.

Jones is 6-1 on the season with a 1.81 earned run average. She has struck out 62 hitters in 38 2/3 innings and has allowed opponents to hit just .145.

She currently leads the SSAC in strikeouts and wins, while ranking third nationally in punch outs.