OKLAHOMA CITY — After leading the Michigan Wolverines in the circle during the Judi Garman Classic, pitcher Meghan Beaubien (Newport, Mich.) has claimed Week 4 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week honors.  Announced today by USA Softball, Beaubien helped guide the Wolverines to victories over No. 2 UCLA and No. 6 Washington, resulting in the team breaking into national polls at No. 23 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll.

“I was a little off to start in the UCLA game,” said Beaubien. “But then I really focused on just trying to treat it like I was in the bullpen, just one pitch at a time and throwing them like I know how. I was able to start doing that and really focus on one at a time.”

Beaubien contributed to Michigan's biggest win of the 2019 season as the Wolverines notched a 3-1 win over No. 2 UCLA in their first game of the Judi Garman Classic. Handing the Bruins their first loss of the season, Beaubien pitched a complete game and allowed just one run off three hits. She struck out three and allowed only four total base runners, including two over the last six innings. 

“I think the team kept good energy all weekend,” continued Beaubien. “We truly believed that we were going to get it done and at some point, during the game, we were going to get the runs across. I think us having that faith and having that confidence allowed us to actually get it done. We just kept fighting."

Despite Saturday’s cancellations, Beaubien returned to the circle in the final day of the tournament and went the full seven innings in a 4-2 victory over No. 6 Washington. Against the Huskies, Beaubien allowed just two runs off six hits and four walks, while striking out five.

“It was a total team effort to have that kind of weekend in Fullerton,” said Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchison. “We just need our pitching to do its part, and Meghan did her part. We got better as a team, and I think we’re making some good strides. Now consistency is the key.”

For the week, Beaubien posted a 1.50 ERA with eight strikeouts and four walks.  This is the first USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week honor for Beaubien and the first for an athlete from Michigan since the 2016 season.

2019 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week
Week 1 (Feb. 7-10): Kassidy Wilbur – Stephen F. Austin – Freshman – Pitcher – Bridge City, Texas

Week 2 (Feb. 11-17): Zoe Casas – Florida State – Senior – Outfield – Rialto, Calif.

Co-Week 3 (Feb. 18-24): Danielle Gibson — Arkansas — Sophomore — Infield — Murrieta, Calif.

Co-Week 3 (Feb. 18-24): Andrea Scali — Kent State — RS Freshman — Pitcher — Parma, Ohio

Week 4 (Feb. 25-March 3): Meghan Beaubien — Michigan — Sophomore — Newport, Mich.