Hawai`i senior Jessica Iwata and Long Beach State junior Erin Jones-Wesley nabbed Big West Softball Field Player and Pitcher of the Week honors in helping their clubs to conference series victories.
Iwata Assists UH Offensive Explosion
Senior Jessica Iwata (Lihu'e, Kaua'i/Kaua'i HS) accompanied a scoring outbreak with a pair of home runs to help Hawai`i remain undefeated in league action and earn Big West Softball Field Player of the Week recognition.
Iwata blasted two of UH's 11 home runs and hit .700 (7-for-10) in a series sweep of UC Riverside. The Rainbow Wahine outscored the Highlanders 36-3 over the three games as Iwata accounted for nearly one-third of the offense, scoring six times and driving in five runs.
The shortstop opened the series with a season-high three runs scored in UH's 16-0 win in five innings. She reached base safely in three of four plate appearances and drew an RBI walk.
Iwata contributed to a 12-run first inning in game two, launching a three-run home run – one of four round trippers in the inning. She finished 2-for-3 with a season-high three RBI.
In an 8-1 victory to consummate the sweep and keep UH's unbeaten Big West streak at nine straight, Iwata smashed another home run as part of a 3-for-4 day at the plate. The blast represented her second consecutive first inning home run and the three hits were a season-best. Iwata's also recorded the 51st home run of her career, ranking second in the UH record book behind teammate Kelly Majam.
The first inning heroics by Iwata helped the 'Bows outscore UCR 23-0 in the first inning for the series.
Iwata slugged 1.300 and had an on base percentage of .727 for the week.
Others nominated: Kim Westlund (Cal Poly); Ariel Tsuchiyama (Cal State Fullerton); Maylynn Mitchell (Cal State Northridge); Christa Castello (UC Davis); Megan Hom (Pacific)
Jones-Wesley Pitches Long Beach State To Series Win
Long Beach State junior Erin Jones-Wesley (Alta Loma, Calif./Los Osos HS), who tossed two complete game victories against rival Cal State Fullerton, claimed Big West Softball Pitcher of the Week accolades.
After losing game one of Saturday's doubleheader, the 49ers turned to Jones-Wesley for a solid effort in the circle and she delivered.
Jones-Wesley notched a four-hit shutout to guide LBSU to a 1-0 win in game two. She retired the final 13 batters she faced to emerge unscathed in a classic pitcher's duel. In addition, Jones-Wesley walked just one and struck out six.
She returned to duty for the rubber game Sunday, marking the first time since mid-March that she pitched in back-to-back games. Jones-Wesley struggled early as she allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits through the first three frames. But despite the 4-0 deficit, Long Beach State erupted for a seven-run third inning to capture the lead and Jones-Wesley took over from there.
The right-handed hurler yielded just two more hits and kept the Titans scoreless for the final four innings to wrap up the 7-4 victory. Jones-Wesley did not walk a batter and fanned five in the 116-pitch outing.
Jones-Wesley improved to 13-6 on the season and lowered her ERA to 2.62. For the week, she posted a 1.50 ERA while walking one and striking out 11 in 14 innings pitched.
Others nominated: Jasmine Antunez (Cal State Fullerton); Brianna Elder (Cal State Northridge); Kaia Parnaby (Hawai`i); Tori Shepard (Pacific)