Nick Capito was named the Big West Co-Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday, honoring the junior left-hander after he tossed a complete game shutout last week.
Capito shut down Sacramento State in a 9-0 victory last Thursday, throwing a complete game shutout with a career-best six strikeouts. He allowed just one runner past second base while allowing just seven hits.
It was the second consecutive complete game for Capito, who defeated USF the Saturday prior in a 3-2 victory. Capito became the first Gaucho to throw back-to-back complete games since James Garcia in his All-American 2001 season.
Making Capito’s accomplishment even more superb was the fact that he was pitching on shorter than normal rest after pitching the Saturday before.
“He is very deserving because he was outstanding,” UCSB head coach Bob Brontsema said. “When you put on top that he was pitching on short days rest, it only adds to the accomplishment. To throw back-to-back complete games within six days doesn’t happen very often in college baseball.”
Capito becomes the second Gaucho to earn Pitcher of the Week honors, joining Mario Hollands who has captured the award twice this year. Capito shared the honor this week with UC Irvine’s Daniel Bibona.
Capito and the Gauchos host LMU on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium before opening Big West Conference play this weekend at Cal Poly.
