ORLANDO – For the second week in a row, Gianna Mancha was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week after tossing three shutouts to lead UCF to wins in each game she started in the circle.
"We are super excited for Gigi and Team XX for last week's success," said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "Both Gianna and Alea continue to challenge each other to be their beat pitching self and it is paying off. Gianna threw three dominant performances and the team followed her action on the field. I am happy with the progress of the team and our entire pitching staff thus far."
Mancha was nothing short of a true workhorse ace for the Knights over the week. On Monday, Mancha got the call to start in the circle against No. 2 Arizona. She tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits to the typically potent Wildcats lineup and shutting them out for the first time in 646 days (June 1, 2019 vs then No. 5 Alabama in the Women's College World Series). She allowed just five baserunners in seven innings and her nine strikeouts were the most against an Arizona offense that had been averaging nine runs per game this season. Her effort in the circle guided the Knights to the 2-0 win over the Wildcats.
Mancha received the starting nod again on Friday against FAU on the road. She held a no-hitter into the fourth inning and allowed just two hits in the complete game shutout. Mancha finished the night with a career-high 12 strikeouts to lead UCF to the 3-0 win.
Mancha was called on to make her third start of the week Sunday afternoon in the final game of the series with the Owls. She would go on to toss six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out nine to guide the Knights to the 4-0 victory.
In total, the senior from Fresno, California tossed 20 innings over the week, allowing just seven hits and no runs while striking out 30. Over her last 26 innings pitched since March 6, Mancha has not allowed an earned run.
After Monday, Mancha is 7-1, owns a team-low .85 season ERA and has 63 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched.
UP NEXT
The Knights will head to Jacksonville, Fla. on Wednesday, March 17 for a midweek doubleheader against UNF at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
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