Weekly Award Winners: Palacios, Derkowski, Beachum Earn Player of the Week Honors
Top StoriesPlayer of the Week: Sharlize Palacios, UCLA
The UCLA catcher batted .600 (6-10) on the week, helping lead the Bruins to three wins and a series win over Arizona. In a midweek against Long Beach State, Palacios came off the bench and hit a two-run home run that broke a tie and proved to be the game-winning blow. In a weekend series against Arizona, the senior slugger had a hit in every game of the three-game set, including multi-hit games in both of her Bruins’ wins. In game one of the series, Palacios was 2-3 at the plate with a walk and two RBIs. A three-run home run was her only hit in game two, accounting for three of the four UCLA runs in that game. Then in game three, it was her grand slam that tied the ballgame as part of the largest comeback in Bruin history, part of a 2-hit day that catapulted UCLA to the series win.
Pitcher of the Week: Lauren Derkowski, Michigan
Michigan’s third-year ace led the Wolverines to a three-game series sweep over Penn State in week twelve, continuing UM’s climb in both the conference and the national scene. For the week, Derkowski collected 16 innings of work, allowing just eight hits and two runs while striking out 21. In the series opener, she threw a 7-inning complete game, allowing just three hits. The third-year standout did not allow a run, gave up four free passes, and struck out nine en route to the win. Then, in the series finale, Derkowski was back in the circle for another complete game, this one a 9-inning affair that gave the Wolverines the series win. She allowed five hits and two runs in that game, giving up three free passes while striking out 12. The final performance was just the second time this season that she’s reached double-digits in strikeouts.
Freshman of the Week: Jaysoni Beachum, Florida State
FSU’s third baseman continued her stellar rookie campaign, helping lead the Noles to a midweek win over Florida and a three-game weekend series sweep over North Carolina. In her first time playing in the Sunshine State rivalry, Beachum was 1-3 at the plate with a three-run home run. The blow moved the game into run-rule territory for the Noles. Then, against UNC, Beachum hit .500 at the plate with a home run and six RBIs. In game one of the series, Beachum was 2-3 at the plate with an RBI infield single, an RBI sacrifice fly, and a three-run home run that capped the FSU scoring in the game. She was a perfect 2-2 at the plate in game two of the series and finished the week with a pair of walks in total.