ARLINGTON, Texas – California Baptist’s Kalena Burns and Grand Canyon’s Jada Cooper and Taryn Batterton have been named the Jersey Mike’s A Sub Above Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Softball Co-Player and Pitcher of the Week, for the game week ending on Saturday, Apr. 19.
 
Burns, a graduate first baseman, is on a four-game home run streak after hitting a homer in each of CBU’s four games, making herself one of only seven players in the country to hit four home runs last week. Burns led California Baptist to a sweep over Utah Tech as she went 7-for-15 (.467) last week slugging 1.400 with an on-base percentage of .529. Along with the four homers, Burns tallied one triple, three walks (one intentional) and 10 RBI, tying for the fifth most runs driven in nationally last week. Burns’ 21 total bases collected led the WAC.
 
Cooper, a freshman first baseman, led Grand Canyon to its 14^th consecutive win, now the nation’s longest winning streak, with a victory over Arizona State and a sweep at UT Arlington. Cooper homered in three of four games last week for GCU and led the Lopes to a 4-3 victory after hitting a 3-run double in the sixth inning of the final game against the Mavericks. Cooper finished the week 6-for-10 (.600) with a slugging percentage of 1.800 and a .615 on-base percentage after recording the three home runs, three doubles, two walks, four runs scored and 10 RBI, also tying Burns for the fifth most runs driven in the country. Cooper’s slugging percentage last week was the sixth best nationally.
 
Batterton, a junior right-handed pitcher, extended her WAC lead for most wins in the conference to 16 after picking up two victories in three appearances for Grand Canyon last week. Batterton grabbed the win against Arizona State where she pitched 4.2 innings and in the third game versus UT Arlington where she threw 5.2 innings in relief. Batterton totaled 13.2 innings last week as she didn’t allow a single earned run and struck out eight batters.
 
2025 Jersey Mike’s A Sub Above WAC Softball Weekly Awards
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kalena Burns, 1B, California Baptist (Apr. 21)
Jada Cooper, Fr., 1B/DP, Grand Canyon (Apr. 21)
Arianna Ramirez, So., IF, Southern Utah (Apr. 14)
Miranda Lista, Sr., IF, Abilene Christian (Apr. 7)
Savannah Kirk, So., IF, Grand Canyon (Mar. 31)
Kalyn Hill, Sr., C, Tarleton State (Mar. 24)
Karen Spadafora, So., C, Seattle U (Mar. 17)
Savannah Kirk, So., IF, Grand Canyon (Mar. 10)
Jada Cooper, Fr., 1B/DP, Grand Canyon (Mar. 3)
Austin Germain, Sr., IF, Tarleton State (Feb. 24)
Taylor Fitch, Jr., 3B, Seattle U (Feb. 17)
Kailee Bautista, Jr., C, UT Arlington (Feb. 10)

PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Taryn Batterton, Jr., Grand Canyon (Apr. 21)
Morgan McConnell, Sr., California Baptist (Apr. 14)
Shelby Schultz, Fr., Tarleton State (Apr. 7)
Taryn Batterton, Jr., Grand Canyon (Mar. 31)
Berkley Vance, So., Seattle U (Mar. 24)
Lina Russo, Sr., Abilene Christian (Mar. 17)
Avari Morris, So., Seattle U (Mar. 10)
Avari Morris, So., Seattle U (Mar. 3)
Hannah Blincoe, Sr., Tarleton State (Feb. 24)
Nicola Simpson, Sr., Seattle U (Feb. 17)
Taryn Batterton, Jr., Grand Canyon (Feb. 10)