TicketSmarter WAC Softball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week Announced
DENVER – NM State's Maya Martinez and Seattle U's Shi Smith have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for April 26 through May 2.
Martinez, a redshirt freshman infielder from La Mirada, Calif., had a breakout series against Utah Valley as she posted a .545 batting average and a 1.545 slugging percentage in her 11 at bats. Martinez drove in five runs as she hit three home runs and a pair of doubles against the Wolverines. Her week was highlighted by a two-home-run outing on Friday in which she hit a walk-off home run to complete a 9-0 comeback.
Smith, a senior from Gresham, Ore., was absolutely dominant as she finished the week with a 0.00 earned-run average to earn two wins in the circle. On Friday, she tossed a complete game, giving up just one hit and earning four strikeouts in the 8-0 win over Dixie State. She also came on to close out a nine-inning Redhawk win on Saturday. In Saturday's outing, Smith struck out seven Trailblazer batters in just four innings pitched.
Other Hitter of the Week nominees included: Dixie State's Hannah Hughbanks collected six hits and a home run as she finished week with a .545 batting average… Grand Canyon's Kristin Fifield finished the week hitting .667 as she racked up a pair of extra base hits and a pair of RBIs against Tarleton… Seattle U's Cherise Silvan slashed .750/.800/1.500 in the Redhawks' series sweep over Dixie State as she managed a double, a triple and a home run during the week… Tarleton's Georgia Capell crushed a grand slam against GCU on Saturday for her 50th career home run… Utah Valley's Kyla Hardy hit a pair of three-run home runs in the Wolverines 8-1 win over BYU on Tuesday, helping snap the Cougars 16-game win streak.
Other Pitcher of the Week nominees included: California Baptist's Kerisa Viramontes had a pair of standout performances against Nevada as she struck out 13 batters and maintained a 1.00 ERA across 14 innings… Dixie State's Ashtyn Bauerle finished the week with a 2.50 ERA as she gave up just five runs across 14 innings in the circle… NM State's Chloe Rivas went 2-0 last week, including a four-inning outing on Saturday in which she allowed just one earned run… Tarleton's Julia Wernet led the Texans to a win over GCU on Saturday, giving up just one run in the complete-game victory.