UC Riverside sophomore Joe Chavez and UC Santa Barbara freshman Robby Nesovic claimed Big West Baseball Field Player and Pitcher of the Week honors with exceptional performances at the plate and on the mound.
Chavez Scores Game-Winning Runs In Series Sweep Of Pacific
UC Riverside sophomore Joe Chavez (Ontario, Calif./Damien HS) accounted for three straight game-winning runs in a conference sweep of Pacific, earning him Big West Baseball Field Player of the Week honors.
The center fielder also displayed a knack for power as he notched four doubles and a home run among his 10 hits for the week. Chavez hit .556 (10-for-18) and slugged .944 as the Highlanders went 3-1 overall.
Chavez pounded four hits in Friday's series-opening 6-5 win against the Tigers. After trailing 5-4 in the ninth, Chavez singled to put a runner in scoring position, and later scored the game-winner on Phil Holinsworth's single up the middle.
He had a huge day on Saturday as the Highlanders won 11-6. Chavez had three doubles and a homer as part of a 4-for-5 performance with four runs scored and three RBI. He also pilfered three bases, including two steals of third. He banged his second home run of the season over the left field wall with one out in the bottom of the first to give the Highlanders the lead for good.
In Sunday's 6-4 victory, Chavez went 1-for-3 with a double, run scored and a pair of walks. He scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Chavez walked to lead off the frame, stole his fourth base of the series, moved to third on a sac bunt, and came home on a Clayton Prestridge sacrifice fly.
Chavez's exploits helped UC Riverside extend its home park winning streak to 11 games in a row. Nine of those wins are of the come-from-behind variety including two against the Tigers.
Others nominated: Denver Chavez (Cal Poly); J.D. Davis (Cal State Fullerton); Anthony Lombardo (Cal State Northridge); Juan Avila (Long Beach State); Taylor Sparks (UC Irvine); Piikea Kitamura (Hawaii)
Nesovic Impressive In UC Santa Barbara's First Win at Fullerton Since 2007
UC Santa Barbara freshman hurler Robby Nesovic (La Mesa, Calif./Grossmont HS) tamed a potent Cal State Fullerton offense to capture Big West Baseball Pitcher of the Week accolades.
The right-hander held the Big West's top offensive and nation's fourth-ranked club scoreless for 6.2 innings as the Gauchos blanked the Titans 2-0 on Sunday. It was the first UCSB win at Goodwin Field since 2007. Nesovic allowed only four hits, walking four and striking out two before leaving the game to the bullpen.
Nesovic made just his third collegiate start in shutting down a Titan offense which had scored 10 runs one night earlier. He enabled only one runner to reach third base in the game.
Others nominated: Matt Imhof (Cal Poly); Thomas Eshelman (Cal State Fullerton); DJ Milam (Cal State Northridge); Mitch Merten (UC Irvine); Scott Squier (Hawaii)