Mortensen named WCC’s top pitcher

For the first time in school history, Gonzaga University has produced the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year.

Clayton Mortensen, a senior right-hander from Rexburg, Idaho, earned that award Wednesday, when the WCC handed out its postseason awards, which also included berths on the 25-player all-conference team for three of Mortensen’s teammates – junior third baseman Darin Holcomb (Shadle Park High), junior outfielder Shawn Wayt and sophomore first baseman Ryan Wiegand.

The awards were based on performances against WCC opponents.

“Our first one ever, and I’m really happy for him,” GU coach Mark Machtolf said of Mortensen, who finished 6-0 against WCC opposition while striking out a conference-best 63 batters and posting a 1.60 earned run average that was the lowest in the conference. “He earned it.”

Gonzaga’s Brandon Harmon (Shadle), Aaron McGuinness and Mike Terry were named to the WCC’s honorable mention list, while pitcher Jeremy Stumetz was honored as a member of the WCC’s all-freshman team.

Steve Bergum