COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – San Diego State sophomore TJ Fondtain (Clovis, Calif./Buchanan HS) has been named Mountain West Pitcher of the Week, as announced Monday by the league office.
In just his second career start on the mound, Fondtain earned his first collegiate victory after helping SDSU post a 7-1 triumph over Hawai'i in the Tony Gwynn Legacy on Feb. 25.
Against the Rainbow Warriors, the Aztec left-hander recorded a career-high seven strikeouts, yielding just one unearned run on a scant three hits and no walks in 6.0 innings.
A native of Clovis, California, Fondtain retired the first 13 Hawai'i hitters, notching five of his strikeouts in that span. He also helped his cause by picking off a runner at second base in the top of the fifth inning.
In addition, Fondtain displayed great control in last Friday's start, reaching ball three in the pitching count just once against 21 batters faced.
With his honor, Fondtain received his first career conference weekly award and the Aztecs' second of the year after Alex Rodriguez garnered freshman accolades on Feb. 22.
As of Feb. 27, Fondtain leads the Mountain West with a 0.87 ERA and is tied for third with a .143 opposing batting average for the season while ranking fifth with 12 strikeouts. He has allowed a measly one earned run in 10 1/3 innings this year.
San Diego State continues its lengthy homestand on Monday and Tuesday when it squares off against Hawai'i and UC Irvine on respective nights at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Game time for both contests is slated for 6 p.m. PT.