Gaucho Marks - March 24th edition

UCSB's new lead off hitter - Andrew Calica

It was quite a weekend for future 'Cat and UCSB Gauchos centre fielder Andrew Calica who was recognized for his recent hot streak by being named the Big West Field Player of the Week. The Gauchos completed a four game sweep of Wagner College last weekend with Calica building on his solid start to the season by absolutely feasting on the WC pitching by going a combined 10 for 17, scoring five runs and knocking in five himself.

This scorching pace has seen our future centre fielder move up in the order to the lead off spot and he hasn't missed a beat. In fact, he really got into the "Rickey Henderson" mentality in the final game, swiping three bases as well. Rumour has it he was selling popcorn in between games of the previous day's double header too (OK...maybe not...but I bet he'd be salesman of the week if he did)! And remember, this guy is a just a (redshirt) freshman. Calica's average now sits at a lofty .437 which is good enough for 11th in the entire country and third in the Big West.

As well as the big stick, it seems he is patrolling center field like no one's business. He is making difficult catches while showing off the same quickness that he has shown on the bases. I know it's a small sample size, and I'm sure he'll come come back down to earth, but this guy seems like the "real deal" and I cannot wait to see him play here in Victoria. But he needs a nickname, don't you think?


HabourCatNip

• Gabe Clark of the number 6th ranked Oregon State Beavers had a rough time at the plate this weekend, going a combined one for eleven while striking out 4 times and walking twice. He is currently hitting in the six spot in the order - twice as the DH and once playing first base. This is most likely just a lull in what started off as an excellent season for Clark and even with that, he is still hitting .321 with an OPS over .900. As well, he drove in two of the four runs in the series opener against Arizona State, setting the tone for the 4-0 victory (the only win of the 3-game set)
• Here is a nice article from a couple of weeks ago on our boy Gabe "the Babe" Clark
• Utah Utes Bret Helton had a solid outing against a strong (ranked number 11) Oregon side, pitching six scoreless innings before giving up the ball after allowing two hits to lead off the seventh. The Utes eventually lost 3-1 but Helton, who drops to 2-2, struck out five while walking only one while surrendering a Scrooge-like five hits. He also filled in at DH in a win over Utah Valley, going one for five batting cleanup. Looking forward to that Nesovic-like versatility.
• Utes teammate, centre fielder Wyler Smith, had a nice week at the plate going a combined five for ten, working his way up the prestigious cleanup spot. Smith hit safely in all four Utes games, knocking out two of the three Utah hits in a heartbereaking 1-0 loss to Oregon on Friday.