PacWest Conference Softball Weekly Awards (Apr. 10)
Irvine, Calif. -- After highlighting Academy of Art University softball's 4-0 week with impressive offense and defense, freshman utility
Dominique Seva'aetasi and freshman pitcher
Hannah Rose Balke (18-7) have been selected Pacific West Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week. The awards are based on games played Apr. 3-9.
Starting the week in a doubleheader with Chaminade (
Apr. 4), Seva'aetasi drove in the winning run in ART U's first victory over Silverswords as part of a 3-for-3 performance then tripled twice during her 3-for-3 effort in the finale to finish the day 6-for-6 with seven RBIs. The Interior Architecture & Design major continued to swing a hot stick in the twinbill with Holy Names (
Apr. 9), going 2-for-3 in the opener and scoring a run after being hit by a pitch in the first inning of game two. She has now reached base in eight straight games.
Balke made four appearances and earned each of the Urban Knights' four victories during the week. Among her achievements was her second no-hitter of the season (also the program's second against a NCAA DII opponent) versus Holy Names as well as a 0.98 ERA, three earned runs in 21.1 innings of work, and 20 strikeouts. After starting the week, by recording all but one out against Chaminade, her only blemishes in the no-hitter were two walks and an error as she retired 12 of the final 13 batters she faced. The Motion Pictures & Television major's 18 wins lead the PacWest (19th in NCAA DII) and she is also first in innings pitched (154.2) and third in strikeouts (111).
This is Balke's second career PacWest weekly honor after earning Pitcher of the Week (
Mar. 13) and Seva'aetasi's first career selection. Academy of Art has now received five weekly awards this season with Balke's pair plus PacWest Freshman of the Week awards for infielders
Gracie Sotomayor (
Feb. 20) and
Freddie Carrillo (
Mar. 6) previously.
