NM STATE’S RODRIGUEZ, GCU’S PESQUEIRA NAMED WAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
New Mexico State’s Staci Rodriguez and Grand Canyon’s Stephanie Pesqueira have been named the Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for Feb. 24-March 2. This is the second honor of the season and fifth of her career for Rodriguez and the first-ever honor for Pesqueira.
Rodriguez, a junior outfielder from Paramount, Calif., hit .700 with five home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs scored and a stolen base at the Eller Media Stadium Classic last week. She posted a remarkable 2.200 slugging percentage and a .824 on-base percentage, and drew six walks over the five games. Rodriguez smashed two homers in a 13-3 win over Binghamton, including her second grand slam of the season. She also had two bombs in a 14-5 win over Seton Hall and added another in a win over host UNLV.
Pesqueira, a senior right-hander from Tempe, Ariz., threw a complete-game four-hitter in a win over the host Toreros at the San Diego Classic I last Thursday. She struck out two and didn’t walk a San Diego batter in the team’s only game last week, as the remainder of the tournament was cancelled due to rain. For the week, Pesqueira posted a 1.00 ERA and limited batters to a .167 batting average.
Other Hitter of the Week nominees included: Grand Canyon’s Claire Zampini hit .667 with one RBI in the team’s only game of the week ... Isabella Geronimo of Seattle U hit .652 with five doubles and six RBI.
Other Pitcher of the Week nominees included: New Mexico State’s Celisha Walker went 1-1 with two saves and seven strikeouts over 16.1 innings.
NEW MEXICO STATE SETS SCHOOL RECORD FOR HOME RUNS IN A GAME
In its 14-5 five-inning win over Seton Hall on Feb. 28, New Mexico State hit a school record seven home runs. Fiana Finau and Staci Rodriguez hit a pair of home runs apiece, while Lacey Rother, Kelsey Dodd and Tatum Reedy added one homer each. It was the fourth time this season the Aggies had 10 or more RBI in a game.
SEATTLE U EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO SEVEN GAMES
Seattle U went 5-0 last week at the Santa Clara Invitational to extend its winning streak to seven games. The last time the Redhawks won seven in a row was during the 2008 season at the Division II level, when the team won 11 straight games to open the season.
GRAND CANYON’S WARTMAN POSTS WAC-BEST 15-GAME HITTING STREAK
Grand Canyon freshman infielder Camree Wartman posted a WAC-best 15-game hitting streak from Feb. 7-23. Included in the streak were hits in two games against No. 24 Arizona and one against No. 4 Alabama, as well as six multi-hit games.
RODOLPH PICKS UP 300TH WIN AT NEW MEXICO STATE
New Mexico State head coach Kathy Rodolph picked up her 300th victory at NM State with an 11-2 win over Incarnate Word on Feb. 22. She is 304-288 (.513) in 11 seasons with the Aggies.
GRAND CANYON’S PIERSON EARNS 300TH CAREER WIN
Grand Canyon head coach Ann Pierson tallied her 300th career victory on Feb. 22 with a 9-4 win over Southern Utah. In her 11th season of coaching, Pierson has a 302-248-2 (.549) record, all with the Antelopes.
POWERS PICKS UP 250TH CAREER WIN
Seattle U head coach Dan Powers picked up his 250th career victory on Feb. 16 in a 4-2 win over Akron. In his 11th season at the helm, Powers has a 257-252-1 (.5085) career record.
NEW MEXICO STATE POSTS BACK-TO-BACK WALK-OFF WINS
New Mexico State posted a pair of walk-off wins on Feb. 15 over Northern Colorado and Iowa State. The first was a walk-off grand slam by junior Staci Rodriguez for the 4-3 win over the Bears, followed by a walk-off single by sophomore Brennalyn Nakamura to beat Iowa State, 5-4.
RETURNING ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS
Three first team All-WAC players from last year return in New Mexico State’s Staci Rodriguez, the reigning WAC Player of the Year, and Seattle U’s Bubba Morrow and Isabella Geronimo. New Mexico State’s Emma Adams and Malena Padilla are the lone returners from the second team.
Bakersfield’s Shay Fryer and Karissa Veiga were named first team All-Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC) last year, while Amber Mills was named to the second team and Kelsie Monroe was an honorable mention honoree. Utah Valley’s Amanda Robinson was named first team All-PCSC, while teammate Jamie North was named to the second team and Kelli Fox and Josi Summers were honorable mention honorees.
Katie Kelley of Kansas City was named first team All-Summit League. Meanwhile, Grand Canyon’s Stephanie Pesqueira, Kayla Henry and Claire Zampini were named first team All-PacWest, with Pesqueira also earning Pitcher of the Year honors. Teammates Kiki Sepulveda, and Kailey Regester were named second team All-PacWest, while Lauren Regester and Nicole Newbury were third team selections.
NEW MEXICO STATE PICKED TO WIN 2014 WAC TITLE
In a preseason vote of the six WAC coaches, who could not vote for their own team, New Mexico State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the title. The Aggies took the top spot with 25 points and five first-place votes, followed by Seattle U in second place with 19 points and the other first-place vote. Utah Valley was third with 14 points, just ahead of Bakersfield in fourth place with 13 points. Kansas City and Grand Canyon rounded out the poll with 10 and nine points, respectively.
SEATTLE U TO HOST 2014 WAC TOURNAMENT
Seattle U will host the 2014 WAC Softball Tournament. The five eligible teams will advance to the double-elimination tournament, which will be held at Logan Field May 8-10. It is the first time the Redhawks have hosted the event.