March 25, 2008

Junior Chelsie Tysdal's three home runs last week helped her win her second career Pacific Coast Softball Conference Player of the Week award for March 25, the conference office announced Tuesday. Tysdal's accolade ensured that at least one LMU player has been named the PCSC Pitcher or Player of the week in seven of the eight weeks this season.

Tysdal (San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) hit .500 (5-for-10) with three home runs and seven RBI for LMU as the Lions went 3-1 against UNLV and New Mexico State last week. On Wednesday against UNLV, Tysdal hit her first career grand slam to cap an eight-run fourth inning in LMU's 8-0 win. She followed that up in her next at-bat, blasting a two-run shot in the first inning of game two to stake the Lions to a 2-0 lead. She would add a single and later score in the 9-4 victory. Tysdal failed to reach in the opening game against New Mexico State but did lay down a sacrifice bunt in a 2-1 defeat before proving the difference in game two. After doubling in the third inning, she led off the fourth with a solo home run, her third of the week and team-leading eighth of the season, to give LMU a 1-0 lead that would stand up. She finished 2-for-2 with a walk to reach in all three plate appearances. For the week, she slugged 1.500 and had an on-base percentage of .545.

Tysdal leads the PCSC in home runs (eight), runs batted in (31), and slugging percentage (.721) and is also among the leaders in batting average (.385), on-base percentage (.423), runs scored (21), hits (40), and doubles (nine). All of her figures have already tied or surpassed her previous career-highs in a season. Tysdal previously was recognized by the conference as its Player of the Week for February 26.

LMU (23-10) closes out its home non-conference schedule this week with a visit from Cal State Bakersfield for a double header Sunday starting at noon.