April 30, 2001

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Arizona State senior third baseman Mike Lopez has been named Pac-10 Baseball Player of the Week and USC junior right-hander Mark Prior has been named Pac-10 Baseball Pitcher of the Week for April 23-29, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.

Lopez, from Phoenix, Ariz., hit .500 over five games last week, helping the Sun Devils to a 4-1 record against Gonzaga and Arizona. Lopez also scored three runs, hit his third home run of the season and notched five RBI. He tallied the game-winning RBI in ASU's 6-5 extra-inning win over Arizona Sunday. Lopez is batting .343 with three homers, 17 doubles and 42 RBI.

Prior, from Bonita, Calif., recorded his fifth complete game in six Pac-10 starts with a six-hit shutout over UCLA. He also struck out 14 batters without allowing a walk in the 2-0 win. Prior now has a 1.07 ERA on the season. In 100.2 innings pitched he has allowed only 58 hits, recorded 149 strikeouts and walked only 12 batters. In his six conference starts he has a 0.34 ERA, with opponents batting .140 against him and a streak of 17 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Player of the Week honor is the first for Lopez in his career, and the 63rd selection all-time for Arizona State. The Pitcher of the Week honor is the fifth for Prior in his career, and the 47th selection all-time for USC.

Also nominated for Player of the Week were Carson White, CAL; Curtis Davis, OSU; Ryan Garko, STAN; Brian Barre, USC.

Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week were Drew Friedberg, ASU; Jason Dennis, CAL; Mike Gosling, STAN; Paul Diaz, UCLA; Justin Cayetano, USC.