May 9, 2005
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State junior pitcher Celena Velasquez has been named Mountain West Conference softball pitcher of the week. It is the fourth honor of the season for Velasquez, and 10th of her career.
Velasquez led the Aztecs to wins over New Mexico (3-0) and Colorado State (1-0) in home MWC action last week, collecting her 39th and 40th career complete games, and 17th and 18th career shutouts. She allowed no earned runs and just six hits in 19.0 innings on the mound, leading the Aztecs to a 3-1 record on the week.
In game one vs. New Mexico, Velasquez struck out two and gave up only four hits, while walking two in SDSU's 3-0 win. She came on in relief in game two vs. the Lobos, holding New Mexico scoreless and striking out six in 3.1 innings of work.
On May 8, Velasquez tossed her second complete game shutout of the week and her 11th of the season in the Aztecs' 1-0 game one win vs. Colorado State. In 7.0 innings on the mound, she gave up only two hits and struck out four. In game two vs. the Rams, she came on in relief in the top of the sixth with the tying run at the plate and one out, and notched a pair of outs to escape the inning. She retired CSU in order in the seventh inning to collect her sixth save of the season.
On the season, Velasquez is 13-12 and leads the MWC in ERA (1.16), strikeouts (197) and saves (six).
SDSU will host the MWC Championship this Thurs. through Sat. The Aztecs will play Colorado State in opening round play Thurs. at 2 p.m.