DENVER - New Mexico State's Staci Rodriguez and Grand Canyon's Taylor Nowlin have been named the Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for March 30-April 5. This is the first honor of the season and sixth of her career for Rodriguez, and the second honor of the season and third of her career for Nowlin.
Rodriguez, a senior outfielder from Paramount, Calif., hit .667 with three doubles, a home run, six RBIs and seven runs scored in a series sweep at Seattle U last week. She posted a 1.333 slugging percentage and a .667 on-base percentage and drew one walk over the three games. Rodriguez was 2-for-2 with a double and a grand slam in the second game of the series, driving in five runs. In the series finale, she was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles. With her home run in game two, Rodriguez became just the second Aggie in program history to reach the 50 home run mark on her career.
Nowlin, a sophomore from Peoria, Ariz., went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in the circle for Grand Canyon, surrendering just two hits while not allowing a run in 8.2 innings of work. In her two relief-effort wins, the left-hander fanned 15 to move her season total to a WAC-best 108. In the second game of the series at Missouri-Kansas City, Nowlin threw 4 2/3 innings in relief, giving up two hits while striking out eight. In the series finale, she threw four hitless innings, striking out seven. For the week, Nowlin held opponents to a .074 batting average. She now has 10 wins on the season, which ranks second in the conference.
Other Hitter of the Week nominees included: Grand Canyon's Camree Wartman hit .455 with a pair of homers and six RBIs last week ... Missouri-Kansas City's Alexandra Friloux hit .400 with two doubles, one RBI and four stolen bases.
Other Pitcher of the Week nominees included: Missouri-Kansas City's Amber Grove went 1-1 with a 2.71 ERA and six strikeouts over 10.1 innings ... Makayla McAdams of New Mexico State went 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in one appearance last week ... Utah Valley's Bailey Moore went 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA and seven strikeouts in 14.0 innings of work.