Von Sprecken honored by WCC

CLAUDIA CLOSE
CONTRIBUTOR

Paige von Sprecken, a freshman from Yorba Linda, Calif., was named WCC Pitcher of the Week after playing in her first weekend as a Torero at the Kajikawa Softball Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

In the season opener, she threw five innings to help the Toreros with their 7-6 win against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners. The following game, she threw the whole nine innings against Arizona State. The next day, she also pitched the whole game against New Mexico that did not end until 1:30 a.m., despite the 6-4 loss.
The past week, von Sprecken has been affected by her strained Ulnar Collatoral Ligament. She was taken out at home plate when she dove to tag a player out. Fortunately, she was back playing this weekend in their home opener against Montana State. The Toreros won Friday night 5-3.

“I’m very honored to have gotten [Pitcher of the Week] the first weekend out,” von Sprecken said. “I know that I wouldn’t have been able to get it if my team hadn’t played so well, so it’s not just my award, it’s also theirs.”

After winning three out of the five games in the Classic, the Toreros are now 5-5 for the season. Von Sprecken is excited to compete with her teammates as the intensity begins to increase with so many good competitors on their schedule.

“Winning the WCC my first season would be incredible,” von Sprecken said. “I know how great these girls can play and I can’t wait to see how the season will play out.

The Toreros travel to University of California, Riverside, on Feb. 21 for a three-day tournament. Their first game is at 9:00 a.m. against the Utah State Aggies.