Shannon Mayo, Staff Photographer

San Diego State sophomore Christina Ross went 2-0 last weekend in SDSU’s Mountain West Conference-opening sweep of BYU.

Ross didn’t allow a single earned run and struck out six batters, while walking only one in 10 innings of work.

As a result, she garnered MWC Pitcher of the Week honors on Tuesday, her first such recognition since becoming an Aztec after spending her freshman season at Kansas University.

But when it comes to SDSU’s pitching staff, Ross is just the head of the spear.

The Aztecs (17-8 overall, 2-0 in MWC play) – who will host doubleheaders against conference foes New Mexico (19-15, 0-2 MWC) on Friday and Colorado State (21-9, 2-0 MWC) on Sunday at the SDSU Softball Stadium – lead the MWC with a 1.88 ERA, have allowed the fewest home runs in the conference and rank at or near the top of almost every pitching category.

Freshman Melissa Owens is second in the MWC behind Ross with a 1.12 ERA while allowing the fewest hits, runs and walks in the league.

Meanwhile, senior Celena Velasquez, who ranks among SDSU’s all-time leaders in all 16 pitching categories, has fought to a 5-3 record in 12 appearances, while battling hip and wrist injuries.

Despite all the success, despite the statistical dominance, head coach Kathy Van Wyk said that her pitching staff can play even better.

“You haven’t seen the best of it yet,” Van Wyk said. “It’s exciting, and it can be frustrating at times, too.

“We’re just waiting for that day when (the pitching staff) all come out and throw 100 percent because I think (then) we’re going to be unbeatable.”

Added sophomore designated player Megan McDonald: “We haven’t seen them pitch to their full potential yet. It’s surprising how successful they have been not being at their ‘A’ game. We’re going to be really, really good once they get to their best game.”

However, Van Wyk is quick to point out what isn’t revealed from the Aztecs’ sparkling pitching statistics.

In the first game against BYU on Friday, Ross relieved Owens in the top of the fourth with a three-run lead, two runners on base and no outs.

Ross managed to get three straight outs and work her way out of the jam, but she had a tough time in doing so, Van Wyk said.

“When Christina came in the game Friday night against BYU, she really struggled,” Van Wyk said. “I don’t know how many people knew it, but I’m calling pitches, so I know what’s working and what’s not working.

“I think having the lead allowed her to not have to pick the edges so much and get out of some of those jams. I know that she’s not consistently hitting her spots and her pitches haven’t been consistently moving they way they can all year.”

And Ross isn’t satisfied, either.

“I just don’t feel like I’ve done a complete game to my full potential and what I’m capable of throwing,” Ross said. “It’s frustrating and you just go out there and try as best as you can and hope that one day everything will finally just click.”

If SDSU has its way, it’ll be able to feed off the momentum provided by defeating the preseason-No. 1 Cougars on the road last week.

“We’ve got to be feeling good after the way we played on Friday,” Van Wyk said. “You leave there feeling like you did some great things, going to BYU sweeping them, that’s just not something you see every year.

“I feel very good going into this weekend’s game.”