ARLINGTON, Texas – Utah Tech’s Kinley Pappas and California Baptist’s Emily Darwin have been named the Jersey Mike’s A Sub Above Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, for the game week ending on Sunday, Feb. 22.
 
Pappas, sophomore catcher/infielder, recorded a .611 batting average last week going 11-for-18 at the plate while posting 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored, helping Utah Tech go 4-1 in the Lyman Classic. Pappas tallied eight extra-base hits on the week with three home runs, three triples and two doubles for a 1.556 slugging percentage. The three home runs all came in one game on Sunday versus Weber State where she belted a pair of solo home runs along with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the fifth to finish the game 3-for-3 with six RBIs and four runs scored, both WAC-highs this season. Pappas recorded multiple hits and in four of five games with three-hit performances against CSU Bakersfield on Friday and Weber State on Sunday.
 
Darwin, a graduate right-handed pitcher, collected three wins and a save in California Baptist’s undefeated 5-0 run in the Mary Nutter Classic. Darwin struck out 15 batters in 15.2 innings of action in the pitching circle, posting a 2.76 ERA on the week. Darwin led the Lancers to a big 5-4 win over Utah as she struck out six batters and allowed only two hits in 5.0 innings of relief. Darwin has totaled the second most innings pitched in the WAC and leads the league with a 2.18 season ERA.
 
2026 Jersey Mike’s A Sub Above WAC Softball Weekly Awards
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kinley Pappas, So., C/IF, Utah Tech (Feb. 23)
Macie Vickers, So., C, Tarleton State (Feb. 16)
Mia McNulty, Jr., C/RF, UT Arlington (Feb. 9)

PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Emily Darwin, Gr., California Baptist (Feb. 23)
Miranda De Nava, So., California Baptist (Feb. 16)
Miranda De Nava, So., California Baptist (Feb. 9)