DENVER Fresno States Nichole Willis and San Jose States Carol Forbes have been named the Western Athletic Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. This is the first career honor for Willis, while Forbes has been honored four times in her San Jose State career.
Willis, a sophomore catcher from Clovis, Calif., was the only Bulldog to post a three-hit game in both games played last week. Willis was the top Bulldog offensively after batting .750 (6-8) with four runs, a triple, a home run, two RBI and 11 total bases for a 1.375 slugging percentage. In the season opener against Utah, she went 3-for-4 with two runs, a home run and a RBI. Against No. 20 Oregon State, she also went 3-for-4 with two runs, a triple and a RBI. In the first game of the year, Willis connected for her fifth career home run against Utah when she hit a solo shot in the third inning to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.
Forbes, a senior pitcher from Catoosa, Okla., allowed only one run in 25 innings last week, while striking out 26. Forbes threw the only perfect game in San Jose State history on Feb. 18 as the Spartans defeated Louisiana Tech, 4-0. She struck out nine of the 21 batters that she faced. Forbes also pitched a one hitter against Grambling on Feb. 15. She topped off the great week by setting the San Jose State career record for strikeouts. She now has 465 career strikeouts. She is the only Spartan to have thrown two no-hitters while at San Jose State.
Other player of the week nominees included: Tracie Uchima, Hawaii and Courtney Lewis, San Jose State
Other pitcher of the week nominees included: Jamie Southern, Fresno State and Melissa Coogan, Hawaii.