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UMKC'S BYRN, GCU'S AGUILAR-BEAUCAGE NAMED WAC ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
UMKC's Morgan Byrn and Grand Canyon's Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage have been named the Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for Feb. 20-26. This is the first-ever honor for both.
Byrn, a sophomore shortstop from Lawrence, Kan., hit .500 over five games last week with a double and three home runs. She accounted for five of the team's 11 RBIs on the week and posted a 1.214 slugging percentage. In the team's lone win last week, Byrn was 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs.
Aguilar-Beaucage, a freshman right-hander from Tucson, Ariz., went a perfect 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in three appearances last week in the GCU Invitational. She allowed just two earned runs, while striking out 12 and walking three over 11.1 innings. In a relief appearance against Rhode Island, Aguilar-Beaucage shut down the Rhody offense, allowing just three hits while striking out seven over 4.0 innings to earn the win. She also earned the win in relief against San José State, allowing just one hit over 2.1 innings.
Other Hitter of the Week nominees included: CSU Bakersfield's Maddi Clark hit .375 with one double, one home run and seven RBIs ... Nikki Gonzalez of Grand Canyon hit .400 with a double, two home runs and six RBIs ... NM State's Kelsey Horton hit .368 with a pair of doubles.
THREE WAC PLAYERS NAMED CANDIDATES FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Three WAC softball players - Grand Canyon's Taylor Nowlin and Camree Wartman and Utah Valley's Brittney Vansway - are among the 30 candidates for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate softball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition. The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot.
GCU'S PIERSON PICKS UP 400TH CAREER VICTORY
Grand Canyon head coach Ann Pierson earned her 400th career victory in the Lopes' 7-5 victory over Rhode Island on Feb. 25. In her 14th year at the helm. Pierson is 401-297-3 (.594).
CSU BAKERSFIELD'S CLARK TIES PROGRAM RECORD FOR RBIS IN A GAME
In the nightcap against Cal State Fullerton, a team which went to NCAA Regionals a year ago and came into the week receiving votes in NFCA Top 25 poll, CSU Bakersfield junior Maddi Clark went 3-for-4 with a grand slam, the first home run of her collegiate career. Clark drove in a total of six RBIs, tying CSUB's all-time single-game record.