April 10, 2001

San Diego - San Diego State senior left-handed pitcher Ben Julianel has been named the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week. It marks the fourth time this season (and second time in two weeks) that an Aztec pitcher has been so honored.

Julianel, from Belmont, Calif. (San Mateo JC), pitched nine strong innings in the Aztecs' 2-1, 10 inning loss against then-No. 12-ranked Southern California on April 3. Julianel faced 34 batters and allowed six hits, struck out seven, walked one, and allowed one earned run. The run he gave up occurred when the left-fielder did not see a fly ball that dropped in and was ruled a double. The Trojans then hit a ground ball that deflected off the second baseman's glove into short right field and allowed the run to score. The nine innings of work and seven strikeouts were both season highs for Julianel, who earned the first pitcher-of-the-week honor of his career.

Previous Aztec MWC Pitchers of the Week include Rory Shortell (Mar. 13) and John Skinner twice (Mar. 27 and Apr. 3).

San Diego State (21-14) is currently tied for first place in the conference with a 10-5 mark. The Aztecs host UCLA this evening (Apr. 10) and then face UNLV in a three-game series at Tony Gwynn Stadium this weekend beginning Friday (Apr. 13) at 6:00 p.m.