Undefeated Chico State Sweeps Softball Weekly Awards
After opening conference play with a resounding sweep, Chico State’s Drew Rodriguez and Sam Mulock have been named CCAA Player and Pitcher of the Week for Feb. 3-9, respectively.
After downing Cal State Monterey Bay in all four tries at home, the Wildcats are the league’s lone unbeaten with a 9-0 mark in the early-goings, 4-0 after the first weekend of conference play.
Rodriguez, a freshman from Elk Grove, provided consistent middle-of-the-lineup production for Chico State. The third baseman recorded two hits in each of the four Chico State wins, batting .615 (8-for-13) in the series with two doubles and six runs batted in while posting a .769 slugging percentage and .643 on-base percentage.
In game one of Friday’s series-opening twin bill, Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and scored the lone run of the contest, following it up with a 2-for-3 effort with a double and two RBI in the 4-0 win in the nightcap. In Saturday’s doubleheader opener, Rodriguez had a double among her two hits and drove in two more runs in Chico State’s 4-3 victory, then went 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored in a 9-0 Wildcats win to close the weekend. Rodriguez was also flawless in the field during the series, handling all 10 chances at third base without an error.
Mulock, a senior from San Diego, came up huge in the circle to aid in the sweep of the Otters. The lefthander recorded two shutouts wins and a save in her three appearances over the weekend. All told, Mulock blanked the Otters on just five hits in 12.1 innings of work, striking out 11 and walking just two while holding Monterey Bay batters to a paltry .116 batting average.
Friday Mulock scattered three hits and struck out four in going the distance before having a hand in both Chico State wins on Saturday. In game one, she came on in relief in the top of the seventh and struck out the lone batter she faced to earn a save and preserve the Wildcats’ 4-3 victory. In the nightcap, Mulock started and raised her season record to 4-0 by allowing just two hits and striking out six as Chico State downed Monterey Bay 9-0 in five innings.
After a week off, the Wildcats hit the road for their second conference series, playing four at Humboldt State Feb. 21-22.
Also nominated - player:
Giana Hays, Sonoma State; Lauren Lipe, Humboldt State; Jade Loe, Cal State Dominguez Hills; Gianna Lombardi, Cal State San Marcos; Samantha Vacko, Cal State San Bernardino; Brylynn Vallejos, San Francisco State
Also nominated - pitcher:
Abby Greer, Cal State East Bay; Emily Mitchell, San Francisco State; Kendra O'Cull, Cal State San Bernardino; Nicole Sarra, Sonoma State; Robyn Wampler, UC San Diego