LONG BEACH, Calif. – A sizzling weekend at the plate has earned Chaminade University center fielder
Chris Mata (Wailuku, Maui, Hawai'i/South Mountain CC/Maui HS) the Pacific West Conference Player of the Week award.
During the Silverswords' five games against Hawai'i Pacific University and Fresno Pacific University last week, Mata hit .520 (13-for-25) with seven runs, five RBI and three home runs while also extending his hitting streak to 17 straight, a new school record.
Mata began the week against HPU last Tuesday with a two-homer game then followed it up with multi-hit contests in the first three games against FPU where he also hit a jack in the third game of the series. In the four-game series against the Sunbirds, Mata hit .579 (11-for-19) with five runs, two RBI and a homer.
In Saturday's Game 2 against the Sunbirds, he moved from center field to the mound in the sixth inning where he tossed three innings, allowing two hits, one earned run and three strikeouts.
Since the hit streak began on Feb. 28, he is 33-for-70 (.471) with 15 runs, eight RBI with seven extra base hits, three being home runs.
Mata is the first Silversword to earn the conference's player of the week award since Ryan Ruch in 2024.
The Silverswords take this week off then resume action next Monday against Hawai'i Pacific University at Hans L'Orange Field.
