UCSB freshman Kristen Clark
Freshman Kristen Clark was named the Big West Field Player of the Week after hitting .818 at the Louisville Slugger Invitational, it was announced by the conference on Monday.
The Gaucho leadoff hitter collected nine hits from her 11 at bats and also picked up three stolen bases over the weekend. She is now the Big West’s hits leader with 27 and is also fourth with a .429 season batting average.
Clark opened the tournament with a perfect 4-for-4 performance against Nevada. She set the stage for UCSB’s four-run seventh inning after she moved Stacy Cavazos into scoring position on her fourth single of the day.
In Santa Barbara’s one-sided 7-0 win over Utah Valley, the Danville, Calif. native paced UCSB with three hits, two runs, and a stolen base.
Her three swipes through three games helped her reach 11 total this season, which ranks second in the league. The left fielder is the only player to reach double figures in stolen bases without being caught stealing.
Clark is the first Gaucho to earn Field Player of the Week honors this season, while Shelby Wisdom earned Pitcher of the Week accolades after the team’s 4-1 weekend at the Fresno State Kick-Off.
She is the first Gaucho freshman to clinch the weekly award since Jenessa Jeppesen did so in May 2012 when she helped UCSB record a series sweep over Cal Poly.
