Complete Release in PDF
DENVER - Grand Canyon's Shea Smith and Mariah Valencia have been named the Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for Feb. 27-March 5. This is the first honor of the season and second of her career for Smith and the first-ever honor for Valencia.
Smith, a sophomore shortstop from Waddle, Ariz., hit .750 over five games last week, posting a hit in every game with multiple hits in three of the five games. She had a double, drove in one run and walked four times on the week. On Sunday, Smith went a perfect 7-for-7 in contests against Maine and Creighton, scoring four times on the day. Smith finished the weekend with an .812 slugging percentage and a .800 on-base percentage.
Valencia, a junior right-hander from Phoenix, went a perfect 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two appearances last week, collecting two of Grand Canyon's four wins on the week. In a complete game against Creighton on Saturday, she threw a two-hitter, allowing just one earned run while striking out a season-high five batters. In the final game against the Bluejays, Valencia earned the win in relief, shutting down the Creighton offense. She allowed just one hit over the final four innings.
Other Hitter of the Week nominees included: UMKC's Morgan Byrn hit .500 with one double and four RBIs ... Kaylee Ree of Seattle U hit a pair of homers and was named to the all-tournament team at the Coca-Cola Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament ... Utah Valley's Basia Query hit .467 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
Other Pitcher of the Week nominees included: UMKC's Lia Lombardini went 0-1 with a 1.56 ERA and three strikeouts ... Lauren Frailey of Utah Valley went 1-1 with a complete-game shutout of Iowa State.