Wednesday, March 30, 2016
by Western Washington Sports Information Department

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington University sophomore first baseman Emily Benson has been named the NFCA Division II National Player of the Week.

Benson (West Richland, WA/Kamiakin) hit .609 (14-for-23) with 11 runs scored, 5 home runs and 16 RBI in 7 games vs. Western Oregon, Central Washington and Montana State Billings (4-3). She recorded at least one hit in each game (5 multi-hit games) on her way to a 16-game hitting streak (ended last night at Stanislaus State).

She also drew 7 walks and struck out only once in 30 plate appearances, recording a .700 on-base percentage and 1.261 slugging percentage (1.961 OPS).

With her first career multi-home run game March 26 at MSUB (G#1), Benson became WWU’s all-time single-season home run leader with 11 home runs (now has 12 HR), passing teammate Alexie Levin (10 in 2014) for the school record. She has hit 19 career home runs, 2nd-most in program history.

In 32 games this season Benson is batting .376 (41-for-109) with 25 runs scored, 5 doubles, 12 home runs and 40 RBI. She leads the GNAC in home runs and RBI, while ranking 4th in slugging. She has struck out only 9 times in 118 plate appearances (9 walks).

Benson was also named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week for March 21-27 for her performance on the field. She is the first Viking to receive a national player of the week honor since joining the NCAA in 1999, and first in program history since Alison Haukaas was named the NAIA National Pitcher of the Week in 1996.

The Vikings (16-16 overall, 10-10 GNAC) return to action Thursday with a single game against Sonoma State at 4 pm at Warrior Field in Turlock. WWU will then play six games in the Tournament of Champions, beginning with games Friday vs. nationally ranked UC San Diego and Dominican.