PACWEST SOFTBALL WEEKLY NOTEBOOK
IRVINE, Calif. -- Dixie State dominated the 2018 Easton Classic with six wins that was completed with a nine-inning win over the RMAC preseason favorite Colorado Mines, 10-9.
Kenzie Sawyer was the hero of the tournament finale, connecting on a single up the middle to drive in Brenna Hinck for the walk-off single. In the previous inning, Janessa Bassett kept the game alive with a two-run home run to tie the game at 9-9. It was her fifth home run of the week, which was more than she had hit in the first three years of her decorated career.
Dixie State also had an emphatic 16-0 win over defending GNAC champion Western Washington. Jessica Gonzalez got the offensive party started with a two-run shot in the third inning to break up Anna Kasner’s strong start in the circle. Gonzalez tallied a PacWest-leading 13 RBIs on the week and had 17 total bases. In the next inning, Dixie State scored 11 runs to run away with the victory.
Hawai`i Hilo wrapped up its long trip to the mainland with an 8-3 record, including a 4-2 effort at the Easton Classic. Brinell Kaleikini hit a grand slam in the first inning of the Vulcans’ win over Western Washington, holding on for a 6-5 triumph.
The next day, Kiara Lincoln hit a grand slam in the fourth inning in a 12-6 win over Western New Mexico. Bailey Gaspar also hit her fourth home run of the season in that game. The next day, Isabelle Megia became the first Vulcan and third player in the PacWest to record her fifth home run of the season, joining Bassett and Ryann Ferguson from Concordia.
This weekend, Azusa Pacific, Biola, California Baptist and Dixie State will all be in Tucson, Arizona, for another big tournament that features some of the best NCAA Division II programs in the nation. Among the teams at the tournament will be the Heartland preseason favorite Lubbock Christian. The Chaparrals will open against Azusa Pacific and California Baptist on Friday and then play against Biola and Dixie State on Saturday.
GNAC preseason favorite Central Washington will be in the Hawai`i this weekend to play doubleheaders against Chaminade, Hawai`i Pacific and Hawai`i Hilo. The Wildcats have already played on PacWest team, losing to Academy of Art 7-0 at the Desert Stinger. Visiting from Canada, Simon Fraser will also be in Hawai`i for the weekend, playing Chaminade on Saturday and Hawai`i Pacific on Sunday.
CCAA preseason favorite Cal State Monterey Bay will host doubleheaders against Holy Names and Academy of Art. The Otters have also played one PacWest team this year and lost against Concordia, 3-1 at the Desert Stinger. Academy of Art enters the week on a two-game winning streak before playing the CCAA preseason favorite.
Weekly Awards for the week of Feb. 5-11
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Janessa Bassett, Dixie State
OF, Sr., 5-3 -- Stransbury Park, Utah
Bassett helped Dixie State win six-consecutive games last week to improve to 8-0 on the season. The senior had a .579 batting average with five home runs, more than doubling her career home run total. She hit back-to-back home runs against Metro State and a game-tying home run against Colorado Mines en route to a 10-9 victory over the RMAC’s preseason favorite. Bassett also was successful in all five stolen base attempts, scoring 12 runs and driving in 12. The senior outfielder had four multi-hit games and two games with three hits each.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Callie Nunes, Concordia
P, Fr., 5-5 -- Modesto, Calif.
The reigning NFCA Division II Player of the Week was back at it in the second week of her collegiate career, striking out 20 in two outings with one earned run allowed at the 2018 Easton Classic in St. George, Utah. Against Metro State, the freshman threw six shutout innings with just three hits allowed and 14 strikeouts to earn her third career win in as many starts. Nunes threw four innings in relief against Colorado Mesa and only allowed one run with six strikeouts. Nunes is averaging 11.83 strikeouts per seven innings so far this year.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Brooke Larsen, Academy of Art
P, Fr., 5-6 -- Sacramento, Calif.
Larsen earned her second-consecutive PacWest Freshman of the Week selection with another dominant week in the circle. Larsen threw two complete games with just one earned run allowed in 14 innings of work. She tallied 11 strikeouts as she led the Urban Knights to two victories. In her second complete game, the freshman didn’t allow any earned runs in a 5-2 win over Cal State East Bay, tallying six punchouts. At the plate, Larsen went 5 for 9 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI to help Academy of Art improve to 6-4 on the season.