COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the second time this season, San Diego State has swept the Mountain West weekly baseball awards after Casey Schmitt was named conference Player of Week and Michael Paredes garnered Pitcher of the Week accolades for their performances in games played from March 2-8.
With his honor, Schmitt received MW weekly recognition for the fourth time in his career and second this season, while Paredes earned his first league certificate as a collegian. In all, the Aztecs have collected five weekly awards from the Mountain West this year already.
In four games against nationally ranked Long Beach State and Oklahoma last week, Schmitt was exceptional at the plate, leading the Scarlet and Black in numerous categories, including batting average (.500), on-base percentage (.500), slugging percentage (.833), hits (9), RBIs (6) doubles (2) and triples (2).
The SDSU junior raised his season batting average from .250 to .323 and extended his hitting streak to six consecutive games, helping the Aztecs to a 2-2 week. Not to be outdone, the consensus preseason All-American also hit .800 (4-5) with runners in scoring position.
In a home game against then-No. 17/17 Long Beach State on March 3, Schmitt propelled SDSU to a 7-2 victory after finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. He also logged his first stolen base of the season vs. the Dirtbags.
In the series opener at then-No. 11/15 Oklahoma on March 6, the Eastlake High product set a season-high with three RBIs in the Aztecs' 5-4 triumph. He also took the mound in that contest and picked up his conference-best sixth save of the year.
In an 8-4 setback the following day, Schmitt drove in two additional runs and matched his season-best with three hits, including his first triple of the year. He also went 2-5 in Sunday's finale, highlighted by a double and a triple as SDSU dropped a narrow 9-8 decision in 10 innings.
Paredes, meanwhile, picked up his first victory of the season in the Aztecs' 5-4 victory at then No. 11/15 Oklahoma on March 6. The sophomore right-hander struck out four batters in five innings, allowing two just runs on six hits and a pair of walks, helping the Scarlet and Black defeat its second straight nationally ranked team. With his effort, Paredes (1-1) lowered his season earned run average from 4.20 to 4.05.
San Diego State will be back in action on Tuesday when it plays host to TCU at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Game time is set for 6 p.m. PT, and the contest will be streamed live via the Mountain West Network.
2020 San Diego State MW Baseball Honorees
Feb. 24 – Ryan Orr (Player of the Week)
Feb. 24 – Casey Schmitt (Pitcher of the Week)
March 3 – Troy Melton (Pitcher of the Week)
March 9 – Casey Schmitt (Player of the Week)
March 9 – Michael Paredes (Pitcher of the Week)