DENVER ?“ Louisiana Tech?™s Jessica Elson and Utah State?™s Heather Straight have been named the Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. This is the first honor for both and the first-ever WAC honor for the Aggies.
Elson, a junior from Plano, Texas, batted .400 for the week, registering two hits in five at bats in Louisiana Tech's two games. Elson's two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted the Lady Techsters to a, 2-1, win over No. 22 ranked Fresno State in Ruston. It was the first time Louisiana Tech has defeated Fresno State in 17 meetings. Elson?™s home run, only her second of the season, came three pitches after she had pulled a homerun down the left field line that went just foul. The third baseman also scored the tying run in the fourth inning of game two that gave Louisiana Tech a 3-3 tie until Fresno scored two in the top of the seventh to win the second game 5-3.
Straight, a senior from Phoenix, Ariz., helped the Aggies win their first WAC games, as Utah State defeated New Mexico State twice last week. Straight pitched a complete game six-hitter to give the Aggies their first ever WAC win. Utah State had lost its first 11 WAC games. Straight struck out three and did not allow an earned run.
Other hitter of the week nominees included: Robin Mackin of Fresno State hit .714 with five hits with two RBI … Kate Robinson of Hawai'i hit .429 with six hits as the Rainbow Wahine won three games last week … Cindy Elkins of Nevada led the Wolf Pack to a 4-1 record, hitting .467 ... Amy Schaible of Utah State hit .556 with five hits and three RBI.
Other pitcher of the week nominees included: Justine Smethurst of Hawai'i went 2-1 with a 1.45 with 20 strikeouts … Krissi Oliver of Louisiana Tech was 1-1 last week against Fresno State … Jordan McPherson of Nevada was 3-1 with a 1.25 ERA last week.