Michael Stanford Award Pitcher of the Week Week Of 3/6/2023 Sport Baseball School UC Irvine Year Position Pitcher Hometown Fort Worth, Tex. High School Colleyville HS Michael Stanford was nearly untouchable in three shutout relief stints against marquee opponents Michigan and Arizona State as UC Irvine went 5-0, including a three-game sweep of the Sun Devils in Tempe, Ariz., to pick up a first Big West Pitcher of the Week distinction. Stanford took the mound three times in the past week, all in critical junctures, and the sixth-year senior right-hander gave up one hit, a double, in 5.2 innings of work, facing one over the minimum with opponents managing a lowly .056 batting average. The native of Fort Worth, Texas, did not issue a walk, striking out five and picking up a winning decision in Tuesday’s 15-3 home romp over the Wolverines. The third year ‘Eater who transferred in from Weatherford (Texas) College has yet to surrender a run or walk this season in five relief outings and 9.0 frames, with three batters able to safely reach base. Stanford is UCI’s first Big West Pitcher of the Week since current teammate and staff ace David Vizcaino on May 16, 2022.