PACWEST SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK
 
IRVINE, Calif. -- PacWest teams earned four wins at the 2019 Desert Stinger, led by Concordia winning its final two games of the tournament to finish 2-1.
 
Hawai`i Pacific earned the biggest win by a PacWest team at the tournament by taking out No. 23 UC San Diego in the first game of the season, 3-1. Jordan Curry threw a complete game with two strikeouts and didn’t allow any earned runs to pick up her first win of the season.
 
After dropping the season opener to Northwest Nazarene, Concordia bounced back for a pair of wins starting with a 6-5 victory over Sonoma State. Sydney Sprinkle drove in the game-winning run on a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead for good.
 
Concordia also defeated Western Washington, 11-3. Erika Morris hit a home run to spark a four-run second inning. The Eagles went on to put multiple runs on the board in each frame to claim the victory.
 
 Hawai`i Hilo also defeated Sonoma State, winning the season opener 7-3. Markie Okamoto had a two-RBI single in the first inning and then belted a solo shot to left-center field in the sixth inning as the Vulcans picked up the win.
 
This week, Hawai`i Hilo and Hawai`i Pacific will be in St. George, Utah to face teams from the RMAC and the GNAC. Meanwhile, Azusa Pacific is traveling to Clearwater, Fla. for a tournament. Biola’s doubleheader against Cal State San Marcos was rained out last week and rescheduled for Sunday.
 
Weekly awards based on week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brenna Youngquist, Academy of Art
INF, Sr., 5-9 -- Buena Park, Calif.
Youngquist opened the season with a strong start at the plate. In two of the three games played at the Desert Stinger, the senior reached base safely in every plate appearance. In the season opener against Stanislaus State, Youngquist had a double and two walks. Then against the eventual Desert Stinger champion Cal State San Bernardino, Youngquist went 3 for 3 with two RBIs. The PacWest’s active leader in career RBIs drove in four runs on the weekend. She had a PacWest-leading .700 on-base percentage and scored once for the Urban Knights.
 
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Jordan Curry, Hawai`i Pacific
P, Sr., 6-0 -- Farmington, N.M.
In 8.1 innings of work at the Desert Stinger, Curry didn’t allow an earned run. She threw a one-run complete game against No. 23 UC San Diego to earn the win with two strikeouts. She threw 117 pitches to earn the victory on Friday. On Sunday, Curry threw 1.1 innings and didn’t allow an earned run. She now has 13 career wins with Hawai`i Pacific as she begins her senior year.
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Megan Massa, Concordia
OF, Fr., 4-11 -- Fairfield, Calif.
Massa made her collegiate debut on Friday with a pinch-hitting opportunity against Northwest Nazarene. Later in the day, she batted leadoff against Sonoma State. She went 1 for 3 with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. She also scored the first run of the game as Concordia went on to win 6-5.  Against Western Washington, Massa reached base safely three times with a single and two walks. She also had a sacrifice bunt and a second sacrifice fly RBI. Concordia went on to beat the Vikings, 11-3.