Big West Release

FULLERTON, Calif. – Fresh off a 4-0 sweep of the Easton Tournament including three consecutive shutouts for the first time since the 2002 campaign, Cal State Fullerton junior Courtney Rodriguez led the offense with a .583 average to garner Big West Softball Field Player of the Week honors, it was announced by the conference on Monday.

The native of Scottsdale, Ariz. hit safely in all four games, collecting seven hits in 12 at-bats. In a 3-0 shutout over Nebraska, she turned in a perfect 3-for-3 performance to notch her team-high fourth three-hit game. She added a triple, two RBIs, and one run scored.

A transfer from the University of Arizona, Rodriguez opened the tournament batting 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base to help the Titans blank DePaul, 5-0.  Rodriguez tallied her first of two triples on the week and scored another run in a 3-0 shutout of Boise State.  The outfielder posted a 1-for-3 performance with a run scored, a walk and a stolen base in CSF's 5-1 triumph over Charleston Southern to conclude the two-day event and extend her hitting streak to nine games.

The center fielder has also made an immediate impact on the Fullerton defensive effort, being one of three Titans to post a 1.000 fielding percentage with a minimum of 30 chances, logging 44 putouts and three assists in 47 chances.

Batting primarily as either the leadoff or two-hole hitter in head coach Kelly Ford's line-up, Rodriguez boasts team-highs in average (.413), at-bats (104), hits (43), triples (5), total bases (58) and stolen bases (5).  

Rodriguez becomes the second Titan to receive a conference award for player of the week this season after Samantha Vandiver earned the identical honor just one week ago on March 9.

Cal State Fullerton will continue its 13-game home stand welcoming Buffalo for a doubleheader tomorrow scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Anderson Family Field. The promotion for the entire day is Youth Night which means the first 300 youth (8th grade and under) in uniform will get in for free!

Others nominated: Stephanie Heyward (Cal Poly); Savannah Horvath (CSUN); Julia Lombardi (Long Beach State); Amy Nunez (UC Davis); Heather Morales (Hawai'i).

OTHER NOTABLE CAL STATE FULLERTON PERFORMANCES OVER THE WEEKEND

While the Titans outscored their opponents by a 16-1 advantage, the pitching staff had a lot to do with the season-high four-game winning streak. CSF pitching had posted 26 consecutive scoreless innings before surrendering a run to Charleston Southern in the sixth inning on March 14.

Desiree Ybarra (8-6) had a key role in the dominance of the circle, tossing a combined 13 and 1/3 innings with a 0.00 ERA to notch two wins overall, one complete game and one save. The native of Riverside, Calif. scattered eight hits over the three-game span, striking out seven. The left-hander also showed superior control, issuing only one walk. In a 3-0 victory over Nebraska, the junior went the distance limiting the Corn Huskers to four hits while fanning four.

Fellow CSF left-hander Christina Washington (9-3) also had an exceptional weekend in the circle, turning in 12 and 2/3 innings of work, yielding only one run and striking out seven. The native of Inglewood, Calif. leads the team with nine wins after collecting a 3-0 decision on Boise State, followed by a 5-1 complete game shutout of Charleston Southern.