Academy of Art University Athletics

Anchoring the defense throughout the Tournament of Champions, sophomore pitcher Cecilia Lopez (4-3) played a major role in ART U softball's three victories last week. In three starts, Lopez turned in a 1.29 earned run average with two complete games, just four earned runs allowed, and 11 strikeouts across 21.2 innings pitched.

After not allowing a run in 2.2 relief innings against Azusa Pacific on Mar. 28 in a makeup game prior to the tournament, the Fashion Design major surrendered four runs against No. 11 UC San Diego on Mar. 29, but kept her team in the game as ART U nearly upset the Tritons. Lopez came back to shut out Cal State East Bay on Mar. 30 before going another complete 7.0 innings with no earned runs allowed in a win over Montana State Billings on Mar. 31.

On the season, Lopez ranks fifth in the Pacific West Conference in ERA (1.93) with just nine walks allowed in 50.2 innings pitched.