Broncos Sweep Mountain West Awards

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the second time this season, Boise State softball swept the Mountain West weekly awards, the conference announced, Monday.

Senior pitcher Taylor Caudill was the conference's top pitcher for the second time this season. She was 2-0 with a save as Boise State opened its home schedule with four wins at the City of Trees Classic.

After giving up a two-out home run in the first inning, March 15 against Idaho State, Caudill finished the weekend with 13 1/3 consecutive innings of shutout ball.

She beat the Bengals with a four-hitter and a season-high 11 strikeouts. Saturday, she blanked Santa Clara on a four-hitter in a five-inning mercy-rule victory. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native capped the weekend with a six-out save against Santa Clara, Sunday when she did not give up a run or a hit.

In 14 innings, Caudill struck out 20, did not walk a batter, and posted a 0.50 ERA with a 0.571 WHIP.

Sophomore first baseman Sydney Groves was named player of the week for the second time this season.

She belted five home runs and drove in 14 runs. She batted .400 (6-for-15) with a 1.400 slugging percentage. Groves homered in each of the four games.

Groves started a comeback against St. Thomas, March 15 with a three-run home run after the Broncos had fallen behind 5-0. Against Idaho State, she was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run.

Against Santa Clara, March 16, Groves homered twice and knocked in four runs. She blasted a grand slam in Sunday's victory over Santa Clara.

Centerfielder Sophia Knight picked up her third freshman of the week honor and fourth overall in her debut campaign.

Batting leadoff, Knight was 9-for-12 (.750) to set the table for Boise State to record a perfect weekend.

She was 2-for-3 with a grand slam that tied the game against St. Thomas and helped Boise State overcome a 9-3 deficit to win 10-9.

Against Idaho State, she collected three hits in her first three at bats, including a double and a triple, giving her a cycle in four at bats over the two games. Knight added a stolen base against the Bengals.

The native of Huntington Beach, Calif., was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run against Santa Clara, March 16.

In the second game against Santa Clara, Knight was 3-for-3 with a walk, three runs and a stolen base.

Boise State has won 10 of 18 weekly awards in the Mountain West this season.

Players Mentioned

Taylor Caudill

Sydney Groves

Sophia Knight

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