For the second time this season, Notre Dame softball player Melanie Alkire has been named the Big East Player of the Week for her strong performances in Notre Dame's six games last week.

Alkire, who received the same honor March 13, shares the award with Seton Hall's Vickie Lamb.

Alkire hit .450 (9-for-20) last week, including three runs scored, five doubles and 11 RBI.

She went a perfect 2-0 on the mound to move her overall pitching record to 6-0 in 2000.

The junior shortstop/pitcher hit .571 in four games to lead Notre Dame to a second-place finish at the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind., earning all-tournament honors for the second time this season.

• Notre Dame stands two wins away from NIT title
  
• Doherty leaving his mark on program in just one season
  
• Saint Mary's opens home season with pair of wins
  
• Heilman pitches a gem in Notre Dame's 3,000th game
  
• Irish fall to Michigan, place second at Invite
  
• Irish recruiting class ranked ninth in nation
  
• Alkire earns second Big East honor
  
• Irish sweep Jayhawks 9-0 after 9-day layoff
  
• Irish drop to 9-7 with losses to Tar Heels, Blue Devils