DENVER Hawaiis April Crowell and Nevadas Judith van Kampen have been named the Western Athletic Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Crowell also earned the first player of the week honor of the 2001 season. This is the first honor for van Kampen in the Wolf Packs first week of softball play.
Crowell, a junior from Ewa Beach, Calif., (Roosevelt) led the Wahine to a 3-3 week at the Chevron Paradise Classic to open the 2003 season. She was one of three Rainbow Wahine to earn all-tournament honors along with Stacey Porter and Tracie Uchima.
The junior started all five games, four as designated player and one at third base. She ended the week hitting .385 (5-for-13), including a 3-for-4 performance against Louisville. Against the Cardinals, she stroked two home runs, leading the Rainbow Wahine to an 8-0 win. She added another home run in a win against Oklahoma State. She ended the weekend with three home runs, three runs scored and eight RBI. In 54 games last season, Crowell only had 12 RBI.
van Kampen, a junior from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (Treasure Valley CC) went 2-1 in four appearances for the Wolf Pack in their introduction to the WAC. Nevada ended the week with a 3-2 mark at the Cal Poly SLO Tournament. van Kampen pitched 22 1/3 innings, allowing only five runs, four earned. She ended the week striking out 24, including 11 against Southern Utah in the programs second win.
Other player of the week nominees included: Lori Hoffman, Fresno State; Alison White, Louisiana Tech; Stacy Mueller, Nevada; Elisa Barrios, San Jose State and Brandi McGuire, Tulsa.
Other pitcher of the week nominees included: Jamie Southern, Fresno State.