2026 WAC SB Release - Week 8

DE NAVA DELIVERS FOR CALIFORNIA BAPTIST
This week’s WAC Pitcher of the Week, Miranda De Nava, led California Baptist to a series win over Southern Utah after pitching two complete seven-inning games for a pair of wins for the Lancers. De Nava threw a two-hit shutout in the first game of the Friday double-header, striking out eight Thunderbirds in a 2-0 victory. De Nava then held the T-Birds to just three runs in the Saturday matchup, finishing the week with a 1.50 ERA, the best from WAC opening weekend.
 
UT ARLINGTON WINS EXTRA-INNING WAC OPENER VERSUS ACU
The Mavericks and Wildcats’ first game of the series had to be decided in extra innings after ACU tied the game in the bottom of the seventh off a pair of singles, a walk, and a passed ball. Marley Neises broke the deadlock in the 10th inning with a two-run homer followed by a two-run single from Valeria Feeney to give UTA the 12-8 win.
 
WALK-OFF WALK SEALS THE OLD HAMMER RIVALRY SERIES WIN FOR UTAH VALLEY
After splitting the first two games, the Old Hammer Rivalry series between Utah Valley and Utah Tech was decided in a dramatic final inning of game three. UVU entered the seventh inning up 5-3, but an RBI single from Summer Sanderson and a two-run single from Baylee Howley gave UTU a 6-5 advantage heading into the bottom half of the inning. Angelique Mann tied the game with a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. A couple of batters later, Tatum Hall drew a four-pitch walk to bring in the game-winning run for the Wolverines, securing the 7-6 win for UVU.
 
PAPPAS BATS .875 AGAINST THE WOLVERINES
Utah Tech’s Kinley Pappas was named WAC Player of the Week for the second time this season after picking up seven hits in eight at-bats for a .875 batting average against Utah Valley. Pappas also recorded a walk and hit-by-pitch for an OBP of .818 in the series. Five of her seven hits were for extra-bases, rewarding Pappas a 2.568 OPS.
 
TARLETON STATE TAKES THREE AGAINST RHODE ISLAND
Tarleton State hosted a four-game series against Rhode Island last weekend and came away with three wins against the Rams. Shelby Schultz was named D1 Softball’s Mid-Major Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA over 12 innings against Rhode Island. Schultz struck out 18 batters in two complete games while holding opponents to a .231 batting average. The Texans will host a mid-week matchup against ranked No. 2 Texas Tech on Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT.