April 12, 2005

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Oregon State sophomore Brianne McGowan has been named Pacific-10 Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week for April 5-11, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced on Tuesday.

McGowan, from Reno, Nev., led the Beavers to a perfect 4-0 record last week, as OSU improved to 28-6 overall and 7-0 in Pac-10 play. In 26 innings of work, McGowan posted a 1.08 ERA on the week. She also recorded 30 strikeouts, including eight K's en route to a complete game victory at No. 2 ranked Arizona, leading the Beavers to their first victory against the Wildcats in 17 meetings, dating back to the 1999 season.

She opened the week by throwing a complete game 1-hitter and striking out nine against in-state rival No. 25 Oregon, leading the Beavers to a 2-1 victory over the Ducks.

McGowan pitched her 19th complete game of the year with nine strikeouts in a 3-2 victory over No. 17 Arizona State on Apr. 10, helping the Beavers sweep the season series in Arizona for the first time in program history.

McGowan (25-2) has won 21 consecutive appearances and has helped Oregon State extend its school record winning streak to 22 games. The Beavers are off to their best start ever in Pac-10 action (7-0) and have matched their highest conference win total since finishing the 2002 campaign with a 7-14 mark.

This is the third weekly honor for McGowan in the past four weeks. McGowan is the first pitcher in Oregon State history to earn Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week honors three times in a single season. The award is Oregon State's 26th all-time selection.