Courtesy of the Big West
For the second week in a row, Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara representatives earned the distinction of Big West Softball Field Player and Pitcher of the Week.
Brucelas Slams Three Homers In 4-1 Week For UC Santa Barbara
Junior Emily Brucelas (Fountain Valley, Calif./Fountain Valley HS) boomed three homers and registered 1.214 slugging percentage as part of a 4-1 effort at the Stacy Winsberg Invitational, collecting Big West Softball Field Player of the Week accolades.
It was the second straight tournament in which the Gauchos posted a 4-1 record. Teammate Jessica Johnston won Field Player honors last week when UCSB went 4-1 in its own Gaucho Classic I.
Brucelas struck early on the tournament with her bat, blasting a pair of homers with four RBI in a 9-0 run-rule victory over Charleston Southern. She book-ended a nine-run fourth inning with her two home runs.
She recorded hits in all but one game, scoring five times and driving in six for the tournament. She doubled and went 2-for-3 with a run scored against Charleston Southern, winning the rematch 5-2.
The third baseman finished with a team-high .500 batting average (7 for 14).
Others nominated: Sierra Hyland (Cal Poly); Alexis Gonzalez (Cal State Fullerton); Darian Tautalafua (Long Beach State); Jenna Curtan (UC Riverside); Sarah Muzik (Hawai‘i)
Hyland Tosses Third Career No-Hitter
Cal Poly junior Sierra Hyland (Visalia, Calif./El Diamante HS) claimed her second straight Big West Softball Pitcher of the Week honor, highlighted by her third career no-hitter.
The right-hander went 1-1 for the week with a 1.00 ERA, walking just two and striking out 19 in 14.0 innings of work.
Hyland recorded her no-hitter in the opener against Saint Peter’s. She equaled her career high with 15 strikeouts in a 1-0 victory.
She pitched well in a 2-1 loss to Weber State, going the distance while scattering nine hits, walking none and fanning four.
Others nominated: Sydney Golden (Cal State Fullerton); Cielo Meza (Long Beach State); Kaylynn Pierce (UC Riverside); Veronica Gulvin (UC Santa Barbara); Jennifer Iseri (Hawai‘i)
