PORTLAND, Ore. – Sluggers
Ashley Espino from the Northwest Nazarene softball team and
Tate Lewis from the Nighthawk baseball team combined to hit seven home runs last week, highlighting the latest group of Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week selections announced on Monday.
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tate Lewis – Northwest Nazarene University
First-career player of the week.
Lewis was part of a record-tying performance by the Nighthawk offense in its series finale against Central Washington, as the team matched the highest-ever GNAC single-game home run total with eight. Lewis had three of the long balls, going 3-for-4 with six RBIs and three runs scored to tie the conference-game record for home runs. He also homered on the first day of the series, giving him four total on the series and upping his season count to six overall.
NNU Head Coach Joe Schaefer: “Tate had a monster weekend. Some guys won’t hit four home runs all year and he got four in just two games. He hit the ball hard all weekend and has been getting better each of the past three weeks.”
Also Nominated: Jason Wright, Montana State Billings; Evan Nicol, Saint Martin’s; Collin Irwin, Western Oregon.
BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Dillon Eden – Northwest Nazarene University
First-career pitcher of the week.
Eden went the distance in his start against Central Washington last week, helping the Nighthawks amid a four-game sweep of the Wildcats. Eden had five strikeouts against zero walks, while limiting CWU to just three hits across nine innings of work. In his best start of the season, Eden held his opponent to just one earned run in the complete-game effort. He lowered his season ERA to 4.26 and he has 52 strikeouts in his 63 1/3 innings of work.
NNU Head Coach Joe Schaefer: “Dillon was outstanding last weekend. We needed him to be efficient and get deep into game one to preserve our bullpen, and he delivered in a big way. It was his best start of the season on one of the biggest weekends of the year.”
Also Nominated: Sam Coxen, Montana State Billings; Logan Larrance, Western Oregon.
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ashley Espino – Northwest Nazarene University
First-career player of the week.
Espino was impossible to get out in last week’s series against Central Washington, reaching base in all seven of her plate appearances including going 5-for-5 hitting. Espino started her weekend off going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double and six RBIs to help NNU secure its spot in the conference tournament. Espino upped her season batting average to .355, and the home runs were her first of the year.
NNU Head Coach Rich Wagner: “Ashley had a great weekend and came up in some big situations. She is seeing the ball really well. She has been patient and waiting for an opportunity to help the team. It is fun to watch her have success.”
Also Nominated: McKayla Cable, Central Washington; Jennessy Lopez, Saint Martin’s; Anika Janzen, Simon Fraser; Lauren Mauer, Western Oregon; Maleah Andrews, Western Washington.
SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Kayla Vaughan – Saint Martin’s University
Second-career pitcher of the week, second this season.
Vaughan played a key role in delivering the first GNAC regular-season title to Lacey since 2015, earning a pair of wins on the final week of the season. The right-hander allowed just one earned run in 11 innings of work, striking out seven and allowing 11 runners for a WHIP of 1.00. Vaughan started her week with a complete-game effort against Simon Fraser on Friday, tossing her second-most pitches of the year at 99 to secure the win. She followed with four shutout frames the next day, limiting the Red Leafs to two hits. Vaughan brought her season ERA down to 2.80 and improved her record to 13-5 in 2026.
SMU Head Coach Jim Peterson: “Kayla had another good weekend for us picking up two wins to help our team win the regular-season title. She has been consistent in the circle for us all season long. Kayla has been an excellent addition to our pitching staff this year.”
Also Nominated: Ellie Gilbert, Central Washington; Victoria Frias, Northwest Nazarene; Alyssa Fulmer, Western Oregon; Alanna Wirtala, Western Washington.
WOMEN’S ROWING CREW OF THE WEEK
Western Washington University Varsity 8+
Cox – Janisa Cook | Stroke – Emilie Borberg | 7 – Finola Hufford | 6 – Taylor Wall | 5 – Sarah Plemons | 4 – Kallie Lechtenberg
3 – Lex Clark | 2 – Shae Mitchel | Bow – Illy Schneiderman
The No. 1 nationally ranked NCAA II Vikings won the Open 8+ race at the Windermere Cup with a speedy time of 6:56.405, finishing ahead of the host Huskies (7:01.273), PLU (7:10.975) and Seattle Pacific (7:43.130). WWU was coming off a great performance at the WIRA Championships last weekend on Lake Natoma, setting the stage for the GNAC Championships that will be held May 16 on Lake Natoma outside of Sacramento.
WWU Head Coach Courtney Moeller: “Opening Day on the Cut is a one of a kind experience; the atmosphere, level of competition, and crowd energy are unmatched. Our crew embraced the moment and delivered a strong race from start to finish, and seeing a blue boat out in front made the day even more special. Credit to Windermere and UW for hosting a first-class event; it was a memorable day for all our student-athletes.”
Also Nominated: Seattle Pacific Varsity 8+.