PacWest Conference Weekly Awards (March 18)

IRVINE, Calif. -- Senior pitcher Gonzo Rios is PacWest Pitcher of the Week following a dominant 5.1 innings against Holy Names on March 16 in which he did not allow a single hit or run and struck out six to set ART U up for an extra innings walkoff win.

"I am really proud of Gonzo and feel he is very deserving of this recognition," said head coach Dan McDermott. "He works very hard and puts team before everything. While he would be one of our top starters, he has embraced the role of being a reliever as that is what helps our team the most at this point in the season."

Rios came in with the bases loaded and struck out an HNU batter to strand three runners and keep the Urban Knights in the game. Then in the 10th with the score tied 2-2 he threw a one-two-three inning ending on two strikeouts to shift momentum to the ART U dugouts for a walkoff win in the bottom half of the inning. Rios now has a conference leading four wins and holds a 1.46 earned run average which is second lowest in the conference. With 30 strikeouts in only 24.2 innings of work his K/9 sits at an exceptional 11.2. This is Rios' first PacWest weekly honor.