ROME, Ga. – After a week where she played a significant role in helping Salem softball capture three wins, including a doubleheader sweep of Livingstone and a split in the USA South Conference opener versus Brevard, the Spirits Jessica Pinnix was recognized as USA South Conference Rookie of the Week in an announcement from the league office on Monday, March 27th.

Pinnix, the first player this season to garner in-season recognition for Salem, wrapped up a four-game stretch where she went 5-for-9 at the plate, scored five runs and swiped two bases along the way. Pinnix also accounted for three RBI on the week, finishing with a .556 batting average, .600 on-base percentage and .556 slugging percentage.

Along with her offensive contributions, the Rural Hall, N.C., she used her glove to make five putouts, including two in Salem's 6-3 win in the league opener against Brevard on Sunday afternoon.

"I am very proud of her because she has worked very hard to get to this point," said head coach Courtney Tucker. "Her hard work and maintaining a positive attitude, while building the team culture here at Salem, embodies what we are looking to accomplish with the program."

Pinnix climbed to third on the team in batting average, entering the week with a .316, after a four-game hitting streak last week that began with a 1-for-1 outing in a 13-5 victory in the first game of the series with Livingstone. She helped Salem complete the sweep of the Blue Bears, finishing 1-for-2 with three runs scored, along with a stolen base, in the night cap.

Hitting seventh in the first game of the series with Brevard, Pinnix helped the bottom third of the Salem order manufacture five of the six runs by going 1-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. She capped off her week with a 2-for-3 outing in game two of the series with the Tornados, joining teammate Savanah Atkins as the only Salem slugger in the game with two hits.

Pinnix becomes the third different Spirit to receive Rookie of the Week honors from the USA South, joining Amanda Dacunto (February 20, 2017) and Brianne Coleman (March 18, 2019) as recipients.