Oaks Named Big West Pitcher of the Week Feb. 7, 2003 – Fullerton, Calif.
Cal State Fullerton senior right-hander Gina Oaks (Alta Loma, Calif./Rancho
Cucamonga HS) was named the Big West Conference’s first Pitcher of
the Week for the 2003 season after her performance in the circle at UCLA’s
Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament.
It is the ninth career Big West Pitcher of the Week honor for Oaks after
winning the award three times as a sophomore and five times as a junior.
She ranks tied for second all-time in conference history for winning the
award, trailing only former Pacific ace Cindy Ball, who had 11 Pitcher
of the Week awards in her four-year career. UNLV’s Lori Harrigan
also had nine pitcher of the week awards during her career with the Rebels.
Oaks kicked off her 2003 season on Jan. 31 against No. 22 Alabama, allowing
just one earned run and scattering six hits while striking out seven in
a 4-3 Titans victory. The next day against top-ranked UCLA, Oaks tossed
a three-hit shutout and overcame eight walks to beat the Bruins, 2-0.
Oaks also struck out seven in that game and hit a first-pitch, leadoff
home run over the leftfield fence for the only run Cal State Fullerton
would need in the game.
She finished the weekend with an 0.95 ERA and 16 strikeouts – 11
of those swinging – while scattering 12 hits in 14 2/3 innings of
work.
Cal State Fullerton resumes play this weekend with a six-pack of games
at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl Classic hosted by Arizona State in Phoenix, Ariz.
The Titans will face four teams ranked in the NFCA Top 25 preseason poll
including, No. 4 (tied) Nebraska, No. 14 Stanford, No. 24 Texas A&M
and No. 25 Massachusetts.
Tournament action begins on Friday (Feb. 7) and carries on throughout
the weekend.
