Last Week’s Stats: .700 AVG (7-for-10), .900 SLG%, .750 OB%, 5 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2-2 SB
Villalta became the first player this season to repeat as NEC Player of the Week after she helped LIU to a 3-0 start to NEC play this past weekend. Going 7-for-10 at the plate in a three-game series against Le Moyne for a .700 average, the veteran outfielder belted out a pair of doubles, earned one walk and was hit by a pitch once for a .900 slugging percentage and .750 on-base percentage during that stretch. In addition, Villalta helped the Sharks outscore their competitors by a 25-8 margin after she drove in two runs and scored five times. The Upper Marlboro, MD native was consistent all weekend, registering multiple hits in all three outings including a perfect 3-for-3 performance in Saturday’s series opener, an 8-0, six-inning win. Scoring twice while registering one double in that game, she crossed home two more times in Saturday’s nightcap, a 12-4 win in five frames, before she doubled once again in the Sunday’s series finale, a 5-4 victory. In addition, Villalta was a menace on the basepaths with two stolen bags. She enters the week ranked first in the NEC with a .442 batting average and a .547 on-base percentage, while her 1.245 slugging percentage and 13 runs scored are both good for third overall.