IRVINE, Calif. — After becoming Academy of Art University Softball's first-ever 20-game winner with her fourth career shutout on Senior Day this past weekend, Brenna Mitchell has been named Pacific West Conference Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season.

Stepping into the pitcher's circle for her 27th start on Apr. 25 versus Notre Dame de Namur, Mitchell was given a first-inning lead and never looked back. After a leadoff walk, she retired six in a row and struck out at least one batter in each of her first four innings. The fourth saw NDNU load the bases with one out, but Mitchell was resilient and sat down the final two batters of inning on strikes. A bit of déjà vu came in the sixth when another bases-loaded threat by the Argos was silenced on the Fairfield native's seventh strikeout of the day. When all was said and done, Mitchell did not allow a run with five hits surrendered in a complete 7.0 innings pitched. 

Mitchell closes out a stellar freshman season atop the PacWest in both innings pitched (205.2) and strikeouts (150) while her 20 victories (second in PacWest) put her 24th in the country and fourth among freshmen. She finishes tied for first in the conference in complete games (21) and sixth in shutouts (4).