In the third week of tournament play, the Big West Conference softball teams improved its numbers with a 18-22 finish. The Big West Player of the Week award goes to Jessica Soria who led the Gauchos in their first home tournament with a 5-1 record. The Big West Pitcher of the Week honor goes to Pacific freshman Dani Bonnet, who got a pair of wins for the Tigers in their 4-1 finish for the week.
Soria Performs in Gaucho Classic I
Jessica Soria, a Simi Valley native, grabs her first career Big West Player of the Week honor with an outstanding showing in UCSB’s host tournament last week. Soria hit safely in all games to extend her hitting streak to seven straight.
The right-handed hitter led the team in hits, runs, RBI, triples, and stolen bases last week and was second on the team with 12 total bases. She went 10-for-21 with an average of .467 and slugging percentage of .571.
In the tournament opener against No. 23 Houston, Soria had the game-winning triple with two RBI’s. She then scored the game-tying run to narrow the 3-2 victory over Nevada. Soria finished the week batting .545 at the plate with a .615 on base percentage and .545 slugging percentage.
Others nominated: Leesa Harris (Cal State Fullerton), Brittany Keeney (UC Riverside), Megan Hom (Pacific)
Freshman Bonnet Receives First Big West Honor
The Peoria, Ariz. native, Dani Bonnet receives her first Big West Pitcher of the Week honor after getting a signature win in a shutout over No. 14 Texas A&M in her 4.1 innings in the circle. Bonnet made her appearances last week at the Cathedral City Classic in Cathedral City, to help the Tigers to two of their four wins.
Bonnet recorded her first career win and shutout against Iowa State as Pacific prevailed 8-0 in five innings. Against ranked opponent, Texas A&M, Bonnet held the Aggies’ offense to just five hits in her stint to collect her second overall win and the second tournament win for the Tigers.
For the week the freshman did not allow a run to cross the plate in her three appearances over 11 innings. Bonnet allowed 11 hits, with six walks and three strikeouts, improving to 2-1 with a 3.23 ERA for the season.
Others nominated: Justine Vela (UC Davis), Taylor Alvarez (UC Riverside), Shelby Wisdom (UC Santa Barbara)