Last Week’s Stats: .643 AVG (9-for-14), 1.071 SLG%, .667 OB%, 6 R, 5 RBI, 2 2B, 2 3B, 1 BB, 0 K, 1-1 SB
Hinkle’s bat exploded over the weekend for LIU, which outscored Mercyhurst by a 27-6 margin in a pivotal three-game sweep. With the trio of victories, the Sharks moved into a four-way tie for first with Central Connecticut, FDU and Saint Francis U, as all four squads sport respective 7-2 records. Hinkle was virtually unstoppable at the plate. Going 9-for-14, the California product slashed .643/.667/1.071 for the Sharks after combining for two doubles and a pair of triples. Drawing one walk, she added six runs and five RBI during the three-game stretch. Hinkle crossed home twice in the series opener, a 5-2 Sharks’ victory on Saturday, before she came up clutch in the nightcap to lead LIU to the extra-inning 4-1 win. With one out and one on, the sophomore outfielder broke open a 1-1 draw with a triple in the top of the eighth inning before she tacked on an insurance run after scoring on an Alyssa Garcia base hit in the next at-bat. In Sunday’s series finale, Hinkle cleared the bases with her second three-bagger of the weekend in the opening inning to make it a 7-0 advantage before she capped off the scoring and made it an 18-3 final with an RBI single. She ranks second among fellow Sharks with a .349 batting average and 21 RBI and leads the NEC with 27 runs and three triples. Hinkle is the first LIU player this season to earn a weekly award from the NEC.