SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After playing large roles in Sacramento State''s four-game series split with Santa Clara last week, Sacramento State senior Lindy Winkler and freshman Cassie Cervantes were named the Pacific Coast Softball Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.For Winkler, it marked the second-straight week she has received the award, and Cervantes earned the pitching honor for the second time this season (March 20). A Sacramento State player has now been named PCSC Player and/or Pitcher of the Week five times in the last six weeks, including Nikki Cinque (Pitcher on March 13), Cervantes (Pitcher on March 20), Jamie Schloredt (Player on April 3).
Winkler''s award continued a remarkable run that has seen the San Andreas, Calif., native hit safely in 28 of her last 30 games while raising her batting average to a conference-best .433. Last week, Winkler combined to bat .636 (7-for-11) with five runs, two walks, two doubles, a home run, three RBIs, a 1.091 slugging percentage and a .714 on-base percentage. The center fielder also was flawless in the field in seven chances.
Winkler, who is already the Sacramento State Div. I career leader in five different offensive categories, is the only Hornet to start all 39 games this season. Not only does Winkler lead the conference in batting average, but she also ranks first in runs (31), hits (52), doubles (11), triples (4) and total bases (83). She also ranks second in the league with a .504 on-base percentage.
Cervantes picked up both Sacramento State wins over the Broncos last week, allowing just four hits in a combined 12.0 innings while striking out 17 batters. She went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two shutouts, and Santa Clara’s hitters batted just .103 off the right-hander during the week.
On Saturday, Cervantes allowed just two hits while striking out nine in the Hornets’ five-inning victory. On Sunday, the Red Bluff, Calif., native threw another two-hit shutout, this time striking out eight batters over seven innings. Cervantes, who has won five-straight starts and is 10-4 this season, is currently third in the nation with 13.1 strikeouts per seven innings. She has not lost a start since March 26.
Cervantes and Winkler have been major contributors to a Sacramento State team that is currently 23-16 overall and 4-4 in the PCSC. After beginning the season with a 4-9 record, the Hornets have won 19 of their last 26 games. Sacramento State begins a season-long 12-game road trip this Wednesday, April 19, at UC Davis. The Hornets have defeated the Aggies on nine-straight occasions, including two times earlier this season.
