ARLINGTON, Texas – Sacramento State’s Erick Dessens and California Baptist’s Michael Malki have been named the University Credit Union Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, for the game week ending on Sunday, April 5.
 
Dessens, a junior outfielder, notched a .643 batting average after collecting nine hits in 14 at-bats during Sacramento State’s series with Utah Tech. Dessens finished with multiple hits in all three games, including a perfect 5-for-5 effort in the series finale victory where he reached base safely six times with an intentional walk in the third inning. Dessens posted a pair of hits in each of the first two games of the series and tallied four RBIs in the Thursday contest with a two-RBI homer and a two-RBI single. Dessens has accumulated the most hits in the WAC so far this season with 49 as of Apr. 6.
 
Malki, a sophomore left-handed pitcher, led California Baptist to a WAC-opening night victory over Abilene Christian as Malki kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard for seven innings while totaling 11 strikeouts and surrendering just three hits. Malki lowered his season ERA to 2.11 and improved his record to 6-0, becoming just one of 26 pitchers in the nation to have six or more wins.
 
2026 University Credit Union WAC Baseball Weekly Awards
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Erick Dessens, Jr., OF, Sacramento State (April 6)
Rayner Heinrich, So., UTL, Tarleton State (March 30)
Chris Ramirez, So., INF, California Baptist (March 23)
Xavier Melendez, Sr., INF, UT Arlington (March 16)
Bryce McFeely, Grad, OF, California Baptist (March 9)
Kaden Carpenter, Sr., OF, Utah Valley (March 2)
Kyle McDaniel, Jr., 2B, Utah Tech (Feb. 23)
Sergio Guerra, Sr., C, Tarleton State (Feb. 16)
 
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Michael Malki, So., RHP, California Baptist (April 6)
Ty Zahradnik, R-So., LHP, UT Arlington (March 30)
Ethan Lay, Sr., RHP, Sacramento State (March 23)
Michael Malki, So., RHP, California Baptist (March 16)
Cort Lowry, So., RHP, Tarleton State (March 9)
Talan Kelly, So., RHP, Utah Tech (March 2)
Ryne Palmer, Sr., RHP, California Baptist (Feb. 23)
Ryan Kroepel, Jr., RHP, Utah Tech (Feb. 16)