Last Week’s Stats: .538 AVG (7-for-13), .923 SLG%, .647 OB%, 7 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 BB, 4-5 SB
Hinkle pockets NEC Player of the Week distinction for the second time this season after she helped guide LIU to another NEC season series sweep this past weekend. In four contests that also included a non-conference tilt with cross-city foe Fordham, the junior outfielder slashed .538/.647/.923 after going 7-for-13 with two doubles, a home run and four walks. In addition, Hinkle drove in three and scored seven times for a Sharks’ offense that put 38 runs up on the scoreboard during that four-game stretch, including 36 in the league series with the Red Flash. Opening the three-game set with a two-run moon shot to give her team a 6-1 lead in an eventual 13-4 triumph on Saturday, the California product tacked on another RBI and made it an 8-0 advantage in the first inning with a two-bagger in Sunday’s series finale, a 12-2 victory. In addition to her prowess at the plate, Hinkle was a menace on the base paths, successfully stealing four bags on five attempts. With the weekend sweep, the Sharks are tied for first with Central Connecticut headed into the final week of the regular season with an 18-3 mark against conference competitors. Leading LIU with a .368 batting average, 57 hits, 38 runs and 24 stolen bags, Hinkle also ranks among the league’s top-10 in each of those categories. She enters the final weekend of the regular season as the conference leader in hits, runs and stolen bases.