SAN MATEO, Calif. — Junior right-handed pitcher Alex Pham was named the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week Tuesday for the week of Feb. 15-21, after he helped lead the Dons to an important series-opening victory at No. 2 UCLA on Friday.
 
Alex Pham threw three innings of important shutout relief Friday against the No. 2 Bruins, escaping two bases-loaded jams while striking out five to keep UCLA scoreless and allow the Dons to get a big, 6-2, series-opening win.
 
Pham entered in relief in a tough spot during the sixth inning. Already with two runners in scoring position and no outs, only one inherited runner would score. After a walk loaded the bases, he proceeded to get a one-pitch infield fly, a strikeout and a groundout to strand the bases loaded and preserve the Dons' lead at 3-2. He would escape another bases-loaded jam in the eighth after a single and two walks, striking out UCLA's Kevin Kendall on an elevated fastball after an eight-pitch battle, preserving the Dons' two-run lead at the time.
 
Pham is the first WCC Pitcher of the Week for the 2021 season. He was also the last Pitcher of the Week for the 2020 season before the year ended prematurely, earning the award on March 9. Santa Clara's Mike Bowes was named the WCC Player of the Week on Tuesday.
 
Pham and the Dons play a home-and-home four-game series versus East Bay Pac-12 foe California starting Thursday. Games one and two will be in Berkeley, then the series shifts to San Francisco and Benedetti Diamond for games three and four on Saturday and Sunday. Fans can find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.