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DENVER - NM State's Nikki Butler and Kayla Green have been named the Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for March 27-April 1. This is the first-ever honor for Butler and the first honor of the season and second of her career for Green.
Butler, a freshman catcher from La Habra, Calif., hit .615 with a double, two home runs, four runs scored and eight RBIs over four games played last week. She posted a 1.154 slugging percentage and .643 on-base percentage. Butler had a hit in all four games in which she played last week, with three multi-hit games. In the nightcap of a twinbill at UTEP last Tuesday, she hit a pair of two-run homers in a 13-4 run-rule victory. She followed it up with a 3-for-4 performance in the Aggies' WAC opener against Utah Valley, driving in three runs.
Green, a sophomore right-hander from Tucson, Ariz., went 3-0 in three starts and picked up a save in four appearances last week. She posted a 1.97 ERA over 21.1 innings of work allowing just three extra-base hits - all doubles - on the week. She also struck out a WAC-best 10 batters while walking six. In a win at UTEP last Tuesday, Green threw 6.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs. In the WAC opener against Utah Valley, she earned a complete-game victory, allowing three earned runs on eight hits. The following day, Green picked up her second save of the season as she threw one hitless inning in the Aggies' 4-3 victory. She then pitched another complete-game victory in the nightcap, giving up just one earned run on six hits while matching her season high of five strikeouts.
Other Hitter of the Week nominees included: Jenna Coates of Grand Canyon hit .444 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs on the week ... UMKC's Kelsey Goodwin hit .250 with one double, one home run and one RBI ... Madison Cathcart of Seattle U hit .400 with one double, one homer and four RBIs last week ... Utah Valley's Brittney Vansway hit .300 with one homer and four RBIs on the week.
Other Pitcher of the Week nominees included: Mariah Valencia of Grand Canyon pitched 11.1 innings of a game that ended in 12 innings, holding Seattle U scoreless for nine innings and striking out four ... UMKC's Kendra Leach went 1-0 with a save and a 2.62 ERA over 10.2 innings ... Alyssa Reuble of Seattle U went 1-0 with a 1.75 ERA, winning the longest game in school history while throwing 12 innings and giving up three runs and 12 hits while throwing 157 pitches in the victory ... Utah Valley's Makayla Shadle allowed just one hit in 5.0 innings of scoreless relief, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA on the week.