Junior Mitch Haniger was the kingpin of Cal Poly's prolific offense while sophomore Ryan Strufing handcuffed No. 20 Cal in a series-clinching victory for Long Beach State, making the two recipients of Big West Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively.
Haniger Drives In Nine as Cal Poly Sweeps Loyola Marymount
Mitch Haniger (Santa Clara, Calif./Archbishop Mitty HS) sparked a Cal Poly road sweep of Loyola Marymount with an impressive performance at the plate, garnering the junior Big West Baseball Player of the Week honors.
The center fielder entered the four-game series against the Lions with a .188 average and boosted it to .345 after batting 8-for-18 with two doubles and a home run. Haniger had five runs scored and nine RBI as Cal Poly swept a four-game set for only the third time in its 18-year Division I history.
Haniger provided the big blow in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader with a three-run shot in the fifth inning to snap a 1-1 tie. He went 2-for-4 with four RBI, including the game-winner to lead the Mustangs to a 6-2 victory.
Haniger posted multiple hits and multiple RBI in three out of the four games to help Cal Poly improve to 7-1 on the season.
Others nominated: Todd Eskelin (Cal State Northridge); Juan Avila (Long Beach State); Brett Morgan (UC Davis); Devyn Bolasky (UC Riverside); Brandon Trinkwon (UC Santa Barbara); John Haberman (Pacific)
Long Beach State's Strufing Deals Gem In 2-1 Victory Over No. 20 Cal
Ryan Strufing (Niwot, Colo./Niwot HS) led Long Beach State to a series victory over No. 20 Cal with a dominating mound effort in the rubber game, earning the sophomore Big West Pitcher of the Week recognition.
Strufing held the Bears to just five hits and one run in eight stellar innings as the 49ers claimed a 2-1 victory on Sunday. The effort was more remarkable for the fact that the LBSU offense managed just a pair of hits the entire game with none coming after the second inning.
The southpaw did not issue any free passes and struck out five in the 101-pitch outing. In two starts this season spanning 14.2 innings, Strufing has a 2-0 record with eight strikeouts and no walks.
Others nominated: Joey Wagman (Cal Poly); Louis Cohen (Cal State Northridge); Eddie Orozco (UC Riverside); Austin Pettibone (UC Santa Barbara)