WCC RELEASE

MALIBU, Calif. -- Pepperdine's A.J. Puckett was named West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week after tossing a complete-game shutout against Saint Mary's last week.

Puckett helped the Waves open what would be a 2-1 series win over the Gaels, with his fifth win of the year, throwing all nine innings in a 7-0 win for Pepperdine on Friday.

He gave up just five hits in the effort while striking out seven batters and did not allow a single free base in his second complete-game shutout of the year. He used 101 pitches to cruise through the Gaels' order in just over two and a half hours. All five hits the Waves' righty allowed were singles and Saint Mary's runners only made it past first in three innings. Puckett faced only one batter over the minimum through the first five frames.

Puckett is tied with Jackson McClelland for the team lead with two complete games this year and is one of five WCC pitchers to throw multiple complete games this season. He is the first Wave to take home WCC Pitcher of the Week this year. Hutton Moyer took home WCC Player of the Week earlier in the season.