A .625 batting average, .750 on-base percentage and astonishing 2.125 slugging mark propelled Arizona Freshman outfielder Katiyana Mauga (San Diego, Calif.) to this week’s USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week as the Wildcats swept conference foe Stanford three games to none. Four of Mauga’s five hits cleared the fence including a walk-off, two run homer in the eighth inning of the series finale.  The three-game sweep helped the Wildcats improved to 32-8 on the season, 7-5 in Pac-12 Conference play and climb one spot to No. 9 in this week’s ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll.

“I want to thank USA Softball for the recognition, I am incredibly honored,” said Mauga. “I am proud of the way my team competed this weekend against Stanford and I am happy I was able to help us pick up the sweep in front of our amazing home crowd.”

Mauga opened the weekend with a perfect 2-for-2 night at the plate with two homers, six RBI, three runs scored and three walks as Arizona won a slugfest 18-12. The outfielder was also a perfect 2-for-2 in game two of the series with a home run, two runs scored, three RBI and a walk to help the Wildcats take down Stanford 12-3.

Mauga closed out the series with a dagger as her walk-off, two-run homer in the eighth inning gave Arizona the series sweep.

“I am very excited for Katiyana to receive recognition as National Player of the Week,” said Arizona Head Coach Mike Candrea. “Kati has made an immediate impact as a freshman and her honor is well deserved. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a great career at The University of Arizona.”

Katiyana is now hitting .369 on the year with 13 home runs and 40 RBI. This is the first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honor for Mauga and the first for an Arizona Wildcat since Kenzie Fowler earned the award in Week Eight of the 2011 season.

2014 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week

Week 1 (Feb. 6-9): Kylee Lahners – Washington – Junior – Infielder– Laguna Hills, Calif.

Week 2 (Feb. 10 -16): Aimee Creger – Tulsa – Senior – Pitcher– Yukon, Okla.

Week 3 (Feb. 17-23): Ally Carda – UCLA – Junior – Pitcher – Elk Grove, Calif.

Week 4 (Feb. 24 – March 2): Cheridan Hawkins – Oregon – Sophomore – Anderson, Calif.

Week 5 (March 3-9): Dallas Escobedo – Arizona State – Senior – Pitcher– Glendale, Ariz.

Week 6 (March 10-16): Alex Hugo – Georgia – Sophomore – Infielder – Olathe, Kan.

Week 7 (March 17-23): Jaclyn Traina – Alabama – Senior – Pitcher – Naples, Fla.

Week 8 (March 24 – 30): Ellen Renfroe – Tennessee – Senior – Pitcher – Jackson, Tenn.

Week 9 (March 31 – April 6): Katiyana Mauga – Arizona – Freshman – Outfielder – San Diego, Calif.