Hockett, Oaks Honored by Big West Feb.
19, 2003 – Fullerton, Calif.
Cal State Fullerton senior shortstop Amanda
Hockett (Bakersfield, Calif.) and senior right-hander Gina
Oaks (Alta Loma, Calif.) were named the Big West Conference Player
and Co-Pitcher of the Week on Wednesday afternoon, the Irvine-based conference
office announced.
It is the third consecutive week that at least one Titan has been honored
as either player or pitcher of the week, and the second consecutive week
that Cal State Fullerton has swept the honors.
It is the first career Big West Player of the Week award for Hockett,
who was also named USA Softball’s first-ever National Collegiate
Player of the Week on Tuesday (Feb. 18). Oaks was named pitcher of the
week for the second time this season (sharing this week's honor with UC
Santa Barbara's Loren Thornburg), winning the league’s first award
of the season back on Feb. 7.
It is the 10th time in Oaks’ career that she has been named pitcher
of the week, taking over sole possession of second place on the Big West’s
all-time list. She trails only former Pacific hurler Cindy Ball, who won
the award 11 times in her career.
Hockett was the catalyst for the Titans this past weekend, hitting .643
(9-for-14) with three home runs and nine RBI. She had at least two hits
and had an extra base hit in all but one game, and tied her career-high
with four RBI against then-No. 20 South Carolina.
She led the team in five different offensive categories this past week,
including slugging percentage (1.429), while ranking second in walks and
on base percentage (.667).
Oaks posted a perfect 3-0 record over the weekend, posting wins over Central
Michigan, Utah and Texas Tech. She did not allow an earned run in the
tournament until the second inning of the game against the Red Raiders
and no-hit the Chippewas through three innings of work before giving way
in the fourth. Oaks posted a 1.24 ERA with 16 strikeouts and four walks.
Opponents hit just .136 against her this past weekend (8-for-59) with
just two extra base hits.
The Titans return to action this weekend as they travel to Columbus, Ga.,
to participate in the 2003 NFCA Leadoff Classic. Fullerton opens with
a pair of games on Friday (Feb. 21) against No. 9 LSU and No. 10 Oklahoma
and continues on Saturday (Feb. 22) with a contest against Villanova before
championship bracket play begins.
