IRVINE, Calif.—University of Hawai'i softball player, Mikaela Gandia-Mak was named Big West Freshman of the Week after leading the Rainbow Wahine with a .500 batting average in the opening week of play. She is the inaugural BWC Freshman of the Week awardee as it is a new award starting this season.
 
Gandia-Mak started all five games in rightfield to open her collegiate career. She was 6-for-12 at the plate recording at least one hit in four of the five games of Hawai'i's games. Gandia-Mak also scored three runs and drove in three more while swiping her first career stolen base.

Her best effort came in an 8-0 shutout of Saint Mary's when she finished 3-for-3 while plating two runs and driving in a pair of runs. The San Clemente, Calif.-native went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the tourney finale to help the 'Bows to a 7-6 win over Fresno State.