A first-time winner and a rookie on a roll were the softball award winners this week as UC Davis' Denna Menapace took home the Big West Player of the Week honor, while Brooke Turner of Long Beach State claimed her fourth Big West Pitcher of the Week honor in five tries.

Menapace Doubles Up RBI Total in Big Week for Aggies

UC Davis catcher Deanna Menapace (Livermore, Calif./Livermore HS) cashed in on run-producing opportunities for the Aggies last week on her way to Big West Player of the Week accolades, the first-ever Aggie to claim a Big West weekly softball honor.

The junior picked up RBI in five of UCD’s seven games last week, including four outings of multiple RBI contests. Menapace’s effort over the week featured a 2-for-3, 4 RBI output in a 5-1 win over Utah, a key RBI base hit and a walk against #1 Arizona State and a three-run homer in a 4-3 win over San Diego. Menapace’s 12-RBI outburst doubled her season total to 24 and left her just three shy of her total from 2007.

For the week, Menapace hit .368 (7-19) a home run, 12 RBI, four runs scored, one walk and a double. She also threw out four would-be base stealers in 10 attempts.

Others Nominated: Amanda Peek, Cal State Northridge; Jessica Ziegler, UC Santa Barbara

Turner Delivers Dominant Results Once Again


Long Beach State pitcher Brooke Turner (Buena Park, Calif./Kennedy HS) once again dominated opponents in the circle for the 49ers as she claimed her fourth Big West Pitcher of the Week award.

The freshman kicked off her week with a shutout win over Notre Dame, going the distance and allowing only four hits, walking none and fanning 11. The following day, Turner shut down then #8 Northwestern, allowing three hits, walking two and striking out four in the five-inning victory over the Wildcats.

Her lone loss came at the hands of previously #6 ranked UCLA, but not without an impressive complete game effort. She allowed seven hits an unearned run, walked four and struck out three in the 1-0 eight-inning loss. The run snapped her scoreless innings streak at 45.

For the week, Turner went 2-1 with a 0.00 ERA in 19.0 inning of work. She allowed 14 hits, an unearned run, walked six and struck out 18.

Others Nominated: Mercedes Lovato, Cal State Northridge; Jessica Hancock, UC Davis; Lindsey Correa, UC Santa Barbara