IRVINE, Calif. – This week’s PacWest Softball Players of the Week are Azusa Pacific’s Madison Hernandez and Nicki Sprague, Dixie State’s Michelle Duncan and Academy of Art’s Brenna Mitchell. The awards are based on games played March 9-16.
 
Co-Player of the Week – Madison Hernandez (Azusa Pacific)
C, Jr., Upland, Calif./Upland
 
Co-Player of the Week – Nicki Sprague (Azusa Pacific)
3B, So., Glendora, Calif./Charter Oak
 
Hernandez and Sprague powered the APU offense as the Cougars won seven of the final eight games in Hawaii. Sprague batted .517 (15-29) with six doubles, three home runs, 14 RBI and 10 runs scored. Hernandez batted .516 (16-31) with a double, five home runs, 15 RBI and six runs scored. Hernandez (36) and Sprague (26) are first and third in the PacWest in RBI, respectively.
 
Pitcher of the Week – Michelle Duncan (Dixie State)
RHP, Jr., Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert
 
Duncan continued to dominate in the circle as No. 7 Dixie State finished off its Hawaii road trip undefeated and ran its winning streak to 19 games. She went 4-0 on the week, tossing a complete game in each, allowing just three runs (two earned) and striking out 18. She threw a two-hit shutout against Hawai’i Hilo. She earned the save in a comeback victory at Hawai’i Pacific, throwing a scoreless inning. She leads the PacWest in ERA (0.81), wins (14) and opponent batting average (.196).
 
Newcomer of the Week – Brenna Mitchell (Academy of Art)
RHP, Fr., Fairfield, Calif./Angelo Rodriguez
 
Mitchell made five appearances on the week, posting a 2-1 record. She threw 15.0 scoreless innings out of 15.1 pitched, including her first-career shutout against NDNU. She allowed just four hits and struck out eight Argos.