Fresno State Athletics
Willis Named WAC Softball Player of the Week
2/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - As the only Fresno State player to post a three-hit game in both games played last week, sophomore catcher Nichole Willis (Clovis, Calif.) was the top `Dog offensively after batting .750 (6-8) with four runs, a triple, a home run, two RBI and 11 total bases for a 1.375 slugging percentage last weekend at the 15th Annual Campbell/Cartier Tournament.
For her efforts, she was named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week as she picked up the honor for the first time of her career.
In the season opener against Utah, she went 3-4 with two runs, a home run and a RBI. Against No. 20 Oregon State, she also went 3-4 with two runs, a triple and a RBI.
In the first game of the year, Willis connected for her fifth career home run against Utah when she hit a solo shot in the third inning to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. Hitting four home runs total as a freshman last season, her first career home run as Bulldog came against UC Riverside in the 13th game of the 2004 season.
The 2005 preseason all-WAC player returns as one of the top 10 hit and RBI leaders from a year ago (60 hits, 28 RBI). While posting one of the finest defensive seasons by a Bulldog catcher, Willis was named the 2004 WAC Freshman of the Year. She was the second WAC catcher, first Bulldog catcher and seventh Bulldog overall to garner conference freshman of the year accolades.
