April 14, 2008

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Sophomore Alexandria Alvarado has been named the Big West Player of the Week, the Big West Conference announced Monday. While helping the Matadors to a 2-1 record in a weekend series against UC Santa Barbara, Alvarado set new career highs in doubles and RBIs.

Over the weekend, Alvarado hit .375 against the Gauchos, recording two doubles, runs and RBIs in the three-game series. She also had a stolen base, her eighth of the season and reached base in all three games.

For the season, Alvarado is hitting .307 with eight doubles, 15 RBIs and eight stolen bases. Her eight doubles ranks seventh in the Big West Conference and her eight stolen bases checks in at seventh. In league play, she leads the conference with four stolen bases and four doubles and is seventh in total bases with 13.

"I am very excited to receive this recognition," Alvarado said. "This year I have been playing with more confidence and have been staying within myself. I feel like I have matured a lot from last year."

Matador Softball head coach Barbara Jordan echoed Alvarado's sentiments.

"It has been nice to see Alex perform to her potential this season," Jordan added. "She has really been playing with a lot of confidence and it is nice to see her using that confidence to enable her to play well."

A Visalia, Calif., native, Alvarado becomes the first Northridge player to receive the award since Christina Saenz earned the honors on May 7, 2007. UC Riverside's Christin Songer earned Big West Pitcher of the Week.

Alvarado, Jordan and the rest of the Matador softball program return to the diamond on Saturday with a trip up the coast to Cal Poly. The Mustangs and Matadors will play a doubleheader on April 19, followed by a single game on April 20. All three games will be played at Bill Janssen Field in San Luis Obispo, Calif., with both days starting at noon.