Natalie Sanchez helped UC Riverside finish undefeated at a tournament while Zoe Conley of CSUN tossed 14.1 scoreless innings as the duo captured Big West Softball Field Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively.
Sanchez Sparks Highlander Offense At Home Tournament
Junior Natalie Sanchez (Moreno Valley, Calif./Valley View HS) contributed heavily to UC Riverside’s success as she earned Big West Softball Field Player of the Week honors after a 5-0 showing at the Amy S. Harrison Tournament.
Sanchez, who played the final four games of the UCR-hosted tournament, notched a .600 (6-for-10) average with two runs scored and seven RBI. She keyed two victories apiece over Utah State and San Diego, helping the Highlanders conclude the weekend 11-4 overall and with their best start since the 2006 season when UCR won 12 of its first 15 games.
The catcher delivered at least one RBI in each of the last three games. Her biggest impact came in the tournament finale, a 10-2 rout of the Toreros, in which she blasted back-to-back home runs and had five RBI.
She finished the week with a 1.300 slugging percentage and also got in on the act defensively, recording UCR’s first pick-off of the season when she tabbed a San Diego runner in the top of the first inning of game one’s doubleheader.
Others nominated: Courtney Tyler (Cal Poly); Katie Hooper (CSUN); Ashley Lotoszynski (UC Davis); Sarina Jaramillo (Hawai‘i)
Conley Throws 14.1 Scoreless Innings at GCU Invitational
CSUN freshman Zoe Conley (Berkeley, Calif./Salesian HS) notched two wins and did not yield a run in 14-plus innings of work, garnering Big West Softball Pitcher of the Week accolades.
Conley made four appearances – two in relief and two starts – helping the Matadors finish 3-1 at the GCU Invitational. She struck out 12 batters, yielded just five hits and did not allow a single walk.
She started the tournament’s final two games against host Grand Canyon. In a 6-5 victory, Conley fanned five in 6.1 innings. She returned the next day to shut out the Antelopes in a five-inning, 12-0 rout in which she surrendered just one hit and struck out three.
For the season, Conley is 4-1 with a 1.33 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 31.2 innings of work. She has helped 12-3 CSUN to its best start through 15 games since the 1994 team began 13-2.
Others nominated: Sierra Hyland (Cal Poly); Desiree Ybarra (Cal State Fullerton); Chelsea Ponce (UC Riverside); Kanani Aina Cabrales (Hawai‘i)