LONG BEACH, Calif. – Chaminade University slugger
Safea Villaruz-Mauai (Hilo, Hawai'i/BYU/Waiakea HS) has been named Pacific West Conference Third Team first baseman in voting conducted by the conference coaches.
The redshirt senior put together a standout campaign in his lone season as a Silversword, leading the team in several categories including batting average (.323), RBI (43), runs (31), hits (51), on-base percentage (.428), slugging percentage (.582) and OPS (1.010).
His home run, slugging percentage and OPS numbers also ranked among the PacWest leaders.
As one of the conference's top power hitters, the BYU transfer and Big Island native hit three grand slams including one in their 6-4 upset over Division I Wichita State on Feb. 24, in which he also hit a solo blast, one of his two multi-homer games. His ability to leave the yard at any time also drew eight intentional walks.
The 'Swords finished the second season following their resurrection at 18-32 overall and 16-28 in the PacWest.
Hawai'i Pacific University's Noah Blythe was named the PacWest Player of the Year while his Sharks' teammate Bronson Rivera was voted as the Newcomer of the Year.
PacWest regular season champion Westmont had the Pitcher of the Year (Ryan Humphreys), Defensive Player of the Year (Michael Soper) and the Coach of the Year (Paul Svagdis). Freshman of the Year was Azusa Pacific's Jacob Hayes.
