UC Santa Barbara junior Joey Epperson and Cal Poly senior Joey Wagman played instrumental roles in the success of their clubs to notch Big West Baseball Field Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades.

Epperson's Walkoff Gives Gauchos Series Victory
 
A sparkplug for the UC Santa Barbara offense, junior Joey Epperson (Lafayette, Calif./Santa Barbara CC) earned Big West Baseball Field Player of the Week honors as the leadoff hitter belted a two-run walkoff home run Sunday that clinched the series victory against No. 19 UC Irvine.

With the Gauchos trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Epperson unloaded the first roundtripper of his career off Anteater closer Race Parmenter for the 7-6 victory.  The game-winner polished off an outstanding day in which Epperson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI.

Epperson also helped UCSB earn a 5-3 victory on Saturday with a hit, run scored and a stolen base.  In the series-opening 14-9 loss, Epperson generated plenty of offense with a career-high four hits and fell just a home run short of the cycle.  He scored three times and drove in another run.

Now a mainstay in the Gaucho lineup, Epperson hit .571 (8-for-14) with six runs scored and four RBI.  He owned a .600 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage as the Gauchos improved to 10-8 in Big West play and moved into sole possession of fifth place.

Others nominated:  Brian Mundell (Cal Poly); Carlos Lopez (Cal State Fullerton); Josh Goossen-Brown (Cal State Northridge); Marc Flores (Hawai’i); Eric Lockwood (Pacific)


Wagman Deals Gem In Complete-Game Win Against UC Riverside

Cal Poly senior Joey Wagman (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista HS) tossed his third complete-game victory of the season Friday night against UC Riverside to pick up Big West Baseball Pitcher of the Week honors.

The 6-0 right-hander struck out seven and walked none in a 117-pitch effort as the Mustangs beat the Highlanders, 4-1.  Wagman yielded just five hits and the one run to collect his 10th victory of the season. 

He became the 14th pitcher in school history to win 10 or more games.  Wagman, who is 10-2 with a 2.82 ERA this season, sits two shy of Garrett's Olson's record 12 wins in 2005. 

Wagman's 24 career wins is tied for No. 4 with Olson and one behind No. 3 Mike Krukow.

Others nominated:  Justin Garza (Cal State Fullerton); Bryce Rutherford (Cal State Northridge)