April 4, 2006
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San Diego State sophomore Christina Ross (Santa Clarita, Calif./Univ. of Kansas) has been named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week for her performances in a pair of wins over Brigham Young on Friday. The award was the first for the University of Kansas transfer and the second by an Aztec this season. Freshman Melissa Owens won the award on March 7.
A left-hander, Ross went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two appearances on Friday. She tossed a combined 10.0 innings and allowed only five hits and one walk, while striking out six batters against the MWC defending champion and preseason favorite Cougars.
In the first game, Ross came in relief in the fourth inning with two runners on and no outs. She got out of the jam by allowing a sacrifice bunt, striking out the next batter and getting a groundout for the final out. Ross allowed three hits and struck out three over the final 4.0 innings to pick up the win.
In the nightcap, Ross pitched a complete game shutout, giving up only two hits in 6.0 innings. She struck out two and did not allow a walk. Ross retired the final 15 Brigham Young batters and did not allow a Cougar runner to reach second base.
In 74.0 innings this season, Ross is 8-5 with an MWC-low ERA of 1.04, while limiting her opponents to a .193 batting average. She has struck out 53 batters, issued 11 walks and leads SDSU with two saves.
The Aztecs (17-8, 2-0 MWC), who are receiving votes in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate national poll, will host MWC foe New Mexico in a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday.