TicketSmarter WAC Softball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week Announced
DENVER – Dixie State's Hannah Hughbanks and Tarleton's Tristan Bridges have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for April 5 through April 11.
Hughbanks, a sophomore outfielder from Chino Hills, Calif., posted a .667 batting average that included six RBIs, four doubles and one home run across five games. Hughbanks led the Trailblazers to a series win over Grand Canyon as she collected seven hits in eight at bats against the Lopes. She also drew four walks and finished the week with zero strikeouts.
Bridges, a sophomore from Denton, Texas, was masterful in three outings for the Texans last week, allowing just three earned runs in 15.1 innings in the circle. In Friday's opener, Bridges pitched all seven innings and suffered a loss despite allowing only one hit and one unearned run. She then came on in relief to earn the win for the Texans in the second game of a double header on Friday while also pitching to a complete game victory on Saturday. On the week, she maintained a 1.37 ERA and held the Lancers to a .125 batting average.
Other Hitter of the Week nominees included: California Baptist's Tiana Patrick posted six RBIs to go along with a .429 batting average as she led the Lancers to a 3-2 record on the week… Grand Canyon's Savannah Tourville batted .444 last week, managing a trio of doubles in the Lopes' series against Dixie State… NM State's Matalasi Faapito batted .400 in two games against No. 8 Arizona last week... Seattle U's Bailey Thompson finished the week with four RBIs as she went 4-for-9 at the plate… Tarleton's Katy Schaefer turned in a team-high five RBIs last week to lead the Texans to a series win over California Baptist.
Other Pitcher of the Week nominees included: California Baptist's Kerisa Viramontes struck out 17 batters in addition to allowing just three runs in 20.2 innings last week for the Lancers... Dixie State's Carissa Burgess went 20.0 total innings for the Trailblazers last week, including a shutout victory over Grand Canyon on Friday… Grand Canyon's Jacie Hambrick led the Lopes to a win over Dixie State on Friday as she gave up zero earned runs and struck out six Trailblazer batters… Seattle U's Carley Nance struck out five Utah Valley batters in Friday's opener as she earned the complete game win.