Pac-12 Baseball Weekly Awards - May 8, 2023

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Alberto Rios, Jr., C, Stanford (Bellflower, Calif.)
» 3 GP, .500 AVG, .533 OBP, 1.286 SLG, 8 RBI, 3 HR, 4 R, 7 H (2 2B), 1 BB

• Led the first-place Cardinal to a big road series sweep at No. 20 Arizona State, going 7-for-14 (.500) at the plate with three home runs, two doubles, eight RBI and four runs scored.
• Finished the weekend with a .533 on-base percentage and a 1.286 slugging percentage.
• In Stanford’s series-opening win Friday night, went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two homers and five RBI, including the go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning to turn a 6-5 deficit into an 8-6 victory.
• In Sunday’s finale, went 2-for-4 with his third home run of the weekend to help the Cardinal secure the sweep with a 9-4 win.
• First career weekly honor and first Player of the Week nod for Stanford this season (Stanford’s second weekly award overall, Matt Scott - Pitcher of the Week - March 27).

ALSO NOMINATED: Jacob Galloway, USC; Mason Guerra, OSU; Max Handron, CAL; Kiko Romero, ARIZ.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Blake Sodersten, Sr., RHP, USC (Fresno, Calif.)
» 1 GS, 1-0, 7.0 IP, 1.29 ERA, 6 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 1 BB

• Helped the Trojans to a huge home series victory over No. 17 Oregon with a career day on the mound in the opener, allowing one run over 7.0 innings pitched in his first Friday night start of the season.
• Shut down a potent Oregon offense, scattering six hits over the seven frames and only walking one while striking out a career-high 11 batters. 
• Held the Ducks scoreless through the first six innings allowing USC to build a 7-0 lead before Oregon got on the board in the eventual 7-2 Trojan victory.
• Pitched on short rest (had last pitched the previous Sunday) after USC’s Friday night starter was scratched.
• First Pac-12 weekly award for the transfer from CSUN; second Pitcher of the Week honor for a USC pitcher in 2023 (Tyler Stromsborg - April 3).

ALSO NOMINATED: Ben Ferrer, OSU; Dakota Hawkins, WSU; Kiefer Lord, WASH; Quinn Mathews, STAN; Paulshawn Pasqualotto, CAL; Cam Walty, ARIZ.

2023 Pac-12 Baseball Weekly Awards