Joey Epperson
For the second straight week, a UCSB outfielder has been named the Big West Player of the Week, as junior left fielder Joey Epperson took home the honor on Monday afternoon following a standout weekend highlighted by a walk-off home run on Sunday that clinched a series win over No. 19 UC Irvine.
Batting in the leadoff spot, Epperson went 8-14 against the Anteaters with an impressive 1.000 slugging percentage. The Lafayette, Calif. native started the series with a 4-5 performance on Friday, finishing just a home run short of the cycle and scoring three times.
He added another hit, as well as a run and stolen base, in Saturday’s victory.
However, Epperson saved his best for last, going 3-4 in the rubber match of the series and sending the Gauchos to victory with his two-run walk-off shot in the bottom of the ninth inning off UCI closer Race Parmenter.
Epperson has done much to cement his spot in the lineup, as the left fielder now has a hit in 12 straight games, tied with Cameron Newell ? last week’s Field Player of the Week ? for the longest hit streak by a Gaucho this season.
Joey and the rest of the Gauchos will travel south this weekend to take on Cal State Northridge in a pivotal Big West series. First pitch on Friday is set for 3:00 p.m.
