DENVER ?“ New Mexico State first baseman Luke Hopkins and San Jose State left-handed pitcher Branden Dewing have been named the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for January 30-February 5.
Hopkins, a sophomore from Albuquerque, N.M. (St. Pius X HS), hit .500 (4-8) in three games against Utah last week. On Saturday he hit two home runs including a grand slam that tied the game in the fifth inning. On Sunday, he was 2-for-4 with another home run, a double, two runs scored and three RBI. For the week, he had nine RBI, three home runs, six walks and five runs. It is Hopkins?™ first career WAC Player of the Week award.
Dewing, a senior from Modesto, Calif. (Grace M. Davis HS), pitched a complete-game shutout in San Jose State?™s 6-0 win over Cal Poly on Friday. He allowed just four singles, two of which were infield hits, and struck out three batters while walking just one. He faced just five batters over the minimum and did not allow a runner past second base. It is Dewing?™s third career WAC Pitcher of the Week award.
The other player of the week nominations were Fresno State sophomore outfielder Steve Susdorf, Hawai'i senior outfielder Matt Inouye, Louisiana Tech sophomore first baseman Albie Goulder and Sacramento State junior infielder Gary Johnson.
The other pitcher of the week nominations were Fresno State junior Andy Underwood, Hawai'i junior Darrell Fisherbaugh, Louisiana Tech freshman Luke Barnett, and New Mexico State sophomore Tyler Surdevant.