UCSB sophomore left-handed pitcher Mario Hollands was honored by three separate organizations on Monday, just days after tossing a complete game, one-hit shutout vs. Loyola Marymount.
Hollands defeated the Lions, 1-0, on Friday by striking out 10 and walking just one, facing only two batters over the minimum. His superb pitching performance led UCSB to a four-game weekend sweep over LMU.
Hollands was named one of Collegiate Baseball’s Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week. He also took home his first Big West Pitcher of the Week award and was named National Pitcher of the Week by www.recruitingcloser.com.
It was the first one-hitter by a Gaucho since Mike Tresemer accomplished the feat on Mar. 24, 1986 vs. Concordia College. Hollands held down a Lions team that had just beaten No. 5 UC Irvine last week and entered the game averaging 9.3 runs per game.
Hollands retired the final 15 batters of the game and from the end of the first inning to the fourth inning, set down 11 in a row.
“It was evident on Friday that Mario was in complete control of his mind and body,” UCSB pitching coach Tom Myers said. “His execution was outstanding. For him to reach back in the ninth inning and flash 91 mph with pinpoint command shows that this young man has a bright future in this game and will be an anchor of our pitching staff all year.”
The four-game sweep of LMU vaulted UCSB (9-2) up the national polls. The Gauchos, on a six-game winning streak, are now ranked No. 23 by Ping! Baseball, No. 24 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 25 by Baseball America.
UCSB plays its next five games on the road, starting with Tuesday’s game at UCLA. The Gauchos return to Caesar Uyesaka Stadium on Mar. 22 when they face UC Riverside.
Tickets are available by calling (805) 893-UCSB, by coming to the Ticket Office located inside the Intercollegiate Athletics building on campus or by logging on to UCSBgauchos.com.
