April 21, 2008

FULLERTON, CA - Cal State Fullerton freshman right-hander Christine Hiner was named the Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday afternoon after earning a pair of wins in the circle during a key series victory over Pacific.

It is the second time in 2008 that Hiner has brought home weekly honors from the Big West office and Monday marked the 10th time in 11 weeks that a freshman has been named the league's pitcher of the week. Hiner won her first conference award back on March 24 after defeating No. 7 Arizona on three hits.

For the week, Hiner went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 10 2/3 innings of work, allowing an unearned run on 12 hits and striking out nine.

Hiner pitched six innings of shutout softball in game two of the series against the Tigers, scattering nine hits while allowing no walks and striking out five. It was the sixth time this season that she had not walked a batter in a start.

In game three, the freshman earned the win in relief, allowing three hits and an unearned run in 4 2/3 innings of work. Hiner struck out four as Fullerton nailed down a sweep of Pacific with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory.

This season, Hiner is 11-11 overall with a 2.30 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings of work. The 11 victories are the most for a Fullerton freshman pitcher since Brooke Weekley won 14 games in 2004.

Cal State Fullerton returns to the field this weekend, hitting the road for the final time in 2008. The Titans head to Cal State Northridge for a three-game series on April 26-27 at Matador Diamond. Games are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. on both days.