VOELZ EARNS SECOND PCSC PITCHER OF THE WEEK AWARD

4/21/2010

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- For the second time this season and third time of her career, Sacramento State sophomore right-hander Shelby Voelz was named the Pacific Coast Softball Conference’s (PCSC) Pitcher of the Week.

In last weekend’s four-game split at San Diego, the Vancouver, Wash., native put together arguably the best week of her career after throwing a pair of shutouts and earning both of the team’s wins against the Toreros.

Voelz tossed a five-hit shutout on Saturday, and bettered that effort on Sunday with a four-hitter. She finished the week with a 2-0 record, a 0.00 ERA, and limited San Diego hitters to a .188 batting average. In 14.0 innings, Voelz surrendered just nine hits while walking four and striking out nine. She did not allow an extra base hit in either game as all nine hits were singles.

In Saturday’s 4-0 victory over San Diego, Voelz allowed just five hits while walking three and striking out four batters over seven innings. On Sunday, Voelz was locked in a pitchers duel all afternoon before the Hornets eventually won, 1-0. In that game, she allowed just four hits while walking one and striking out five batters.

Voelz now has a consecutive scoreless inning streak of 15, which spans three appearances. The shutouts were her second and third of the season, and she now has four during her two-year career. In addition, Voelz has won her last four decisions spanning five appearances.

She is now 8-13 with a 3.24 ERA, and leads the team’s pitching staff in wins, ERA, appearances (23), starts (17), complete games (16), shutouts (3), innings (123.1), strikeouts (86) and opponents batting average (.258). In addition, Voelz has given up just four home runs all season, or one every 30.2 innings pitched.

Entering the third week of the conference season, Sacramento State (15-26, 5-2) is just a half game back of first-place Loyola Marymount (6-2) in the Coastal Division standings. The Hornets travel to Moraga, Calif., this weekend for a four-game series against third-place Saint Mary’s (4-2).