Athlete of the Week

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Alexis Funaki (sophomore) pitched into extra innings in the second game of a double-header against Marymount Feb. 5. Funaki gave up a mere two earned runs while tallying four strikeouts. Funaki helped herself out at the plate with an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game 3-3. She also scored the winning run later that inning when teammate Alex Battest (senior) batted her in with a walk-off single.

“We have been playing really well as a team the past two weekends,” Funaki said. Our last game against Marymount came down to extra innings where the entire team came together to get us three runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the win. As a pitcher, I love it when my team can rally even when we are down.

Funaki has been on a hot streak, both at the plate and on the mound, since the season began. The sophomore phenom is hitting .353 with a team-leading three doubles, while maintaining a stellar 2.38 ERA in 17 innings pitched.

“I have been hitting hard ground balls and line drives in the gaps. I have also been feeling really great on the mound. I have been focusing on my spin and location which has been working out really well for me,” Funaki said.

The Tigers face their first conference opponent when they travel to La Verne for a doubleheader Feb. 18.

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