Valdez's gem helps her secure CCAA Pitcher of the Week honors

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Chico State’s Amelie Valdez was named the CCAA Pitcher of the Week for the week of Feb. 6-12. 

Valdez was sparkling in the pitcher’s circle, picking up two of Chico State’s three victories as the Wildcats hosted Academy of Art and Stanislaus State. The true freshman allowed just one earned run, struck out 11, and walked only one in 13 innings of work, holding opposing batters to a .128 batting average. 

Friday against Academy of Art, Valdez tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out nine, and finishing off the gem by retiring the last 14 batters she faced in Chico State’s 1-0 victory over the Urban Knights. 

On Saturday, Valdez held Stanislaus State to just one hit through her first six innings to help lead the Wildcats to a 7-3 win over the Warriors. 

Two weeks into the season, Valdez leads the CCAA in opponent batting average (.147), is tied for the conference lead in shutouts (2), and is among the CCAA leaders in wins (3), complete games (3), earned run average (1.11), and strikeouts (26).

Valdez is the first CCAA Pitcher of the Week for Chico State since 2022 CCAA Pitcher of the Year Brooke Larsen won back-to-back weeks on Feb. 14 and 21, 2022. Valdez is the first CCAA freshman to earn the honor since Cal State San Marcos’ Savannah Coyle (Feb. 28-Mar. 6). 

Chico State will open its conference season at home against Cal State Monterey Bay beginning Friday, Feb. 17. The Wildcats will then host a four-game set against Cal Poly Humboldt (Fev. 24-25) as they will not be on the road until the first week of March against Cal State San Marcos (Mar. 3-4).

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