May 7, 2001
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Santa Clara University freshman Kellen McConnell was named the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week following his two-hit complete game performance in the Broncos' 1-0 shutout of Gonzaga Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium.
McConnell, a native of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., tossed his first complete game as a collegian and allowed just two singles by the Bulldogs. He held division-leading Gonzaga scoreless and snapped the Zags' 11-game WCC win streak.
"Without a doubt, Kellen put on one of our best pitching performances of the year on Sunday," said Head Coach Mike Cummins. "He is a fine young pitcher who has a promising future ahead of him."
Sunday's game marked only the second WCC start of the season for McConnell. He joined the regular weekend rotation against Loyola Marymount the previous week and allowed just five hits in six innings pitched against the Lions.
McConnell also serves as the Broncos' starting third baseman and is fifth on the team in batting. He is the team's leading hurler with a 4-1 overall record and 3.79 ERA. He is second on the team with 42 strikeouts in 61.2 innings pitched.
Santa Clara is 16-11 in the WCC and plays five games this week. The Broncos are on the road at Cal and San Jose State Tuesday and Wednesday before playing a three-game series at San Francisco to end the regular season. Santa Clara can win the league's Coast Division title with a sweep of the Dons and Loyola Marymount taking a three-game sweep at Gonzaga over the weekend.
