Clutch performances from Keston Hiura and Tyler Brashears netted them the Big West Baseball Field Player and Pitcher of the Week awards, respectively.
Hiura Knocks In Four Game-Winners
UC Irvine freshman Keston Hiura (Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS) earned his second Big West Baseball Field Player of the Week honor after spearheading the team’s successful road trip with game-winning RBI in all four games.
On the heels of driving in seven runs last week, Hiura had eight RBI on six hits this week. The outfielder also scored four runs and hit .333 (6-for-18) as the Anteaters defeated San Diego in a midweek game and swept Minnesota.
Hiura wasted no time being productive as he opened up the San Diego game with an RBI in a three-run first, a lead the ‘Eaters would never relinquish while batting 2-for-5 with three RBI. He provided offensive insurance with a two-run double later in the game.
Against the Gophers, Hiura had at least one RBI in all three games. He went 1-for-4 with two RBI in a series-opening 3-2 win. With UCI trailing 2-0, Hiura delivered a sac fly as part of a two-run eight inning to tie the game. He collected the game-winning RBI with a run-scoring single in the ninth.
In Saturday’s 6-5 victory in 12 innings, Hiura doubled twice, scored and drove in a run. His ground-rule double in the top of the 12th clinched the victory and the series for UCI. He consummated the series Sunday with two more RBI and a stolen base as the Anteaters took a 6-2 victory.
Others nominated: David Olmedo-Barrera (Cal State Fullerton); Albee Weiss (CSUN); Garrett Hampson (Long Beach State); Peter Maris (UC Santa Barbara); Jacob Sheldon-Collins (Hawai‘i)
Brashears Wins Second Straight Honor
Hawai‘i junior Tyler Brashears (Lake Forest, Calif./Saddleback CC) garnered his second consecutive Big West Baseball Pitcher of the Week award after shutting down the Long Beach State offense in a 1-0 victory.
After tossing 7.2 innings of shutout ball last week in a 1-0 triumph against UC Santa Barbara, Brashears handcuffed the 49er offense for eight frames to get an identical result.
The right-hander scattered four hits, walked two and fanned three while extending his scoreless streak to 20.2 innings. He allowed only two LBSU batters to reach second base and none advanced to third.
Brashears held the LBSU lineup to a .154 average and lowered his ERA to 1.78, placing him No. 3 in the Big West. He won his third straight decision and is now tied for second in the conference with seven victories.
Others nominated: Thomas Eshelman (Cal State Fullerton); Rayne Raven (CSUN); Ryan Cruz (Long Beach State); Elliot Surrey (UC Irvine); Justin Jacome (UC Santa Barbara)