DENVER. – New Mexico State softball's Samaria Diaz was named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league announced on Monday. This is the first weekly accolade for the junior.

Diaz began her 2019 campaign with a pair of wins and a save, helping the Aggies to a 4-0 opening weekend. She posted a 0.88 ERA and 12 strikeouts, allowing just one run on four hits over 8.0 innings. The pitcher opened the season by striking out three out of the four batters she faced against New Mexico on her way to a save. Against UTEP, she pitched 3.1 innings in relief, allowing just two hits while striking out five. She allowed two hits and surrendered her only earned run against Creighton, when she also had four strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched. Diaz also held opponents to a .133 batting average over her three appearances.

The Aggies host the annual Troy Cox Classic from Feb. 15-17. The tournament features host NM State along with Texas State, Bradley, Montana and San Jose State. New Mexico State's first clash is set to take place against the Bobcats of TXST on Friday, Feb. 15, at 4 p.m. MT.