RENO, NV – The University of Nevada has had strong pitching so far this season and the staff is earning recognition. Jordan McPherson was named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week for Feb. 18, 2008 while Katie Holverson was honored for the week of April 1st. This was the second time each of the UNR hurlers have been honored.

McPherson, a senior from Simi Valley, Calif. pitched 11 innings of shutout ball in game two as the Nevada softball team swept a doubleheader with Utah State in its Western Athletic Conference and home opener on March 21st at the Christina M. Hixson Park. The Wolf Pack started the day with a 12-1 victory followed by a 6-0 win over the Aggies. McPherson started game two of the series and pitched a complete game shutout in the 6-0 victory. She gave up four hits and two walks, while striking out six.

McPherson went 2-0 and pitched 14.2 innings with a 1.43 earned-run average as Nevada went 4-1 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, AZ over the Feb. 9-10 weekend. In Nevada’s biggest victory in school history McPherson was the starting pitcher, going five innings and getting the win in a 1-0 victory over the No. 1 ranked Arizona State. McPherson gave up three hits, walked three and struck out five. Sophomore Katie Holverson earned the save with two innings of relief.

Holverson, a sophomore from Anaheim, Calif. was outstanding as she pitched 18 shutout innings against the No. 10 ranked Fresno Bulldogs. In her 18 innings pitched Holverson struck out 18 Fresno State batters and walked just three. She pitched 11 innings allowing only three hits as the Wolf Pack took game one of the three game series with a 5-0 victory. Fresno took game one of the Saturday, April 5th double header 4-1. In game two Holverson was again dominant limiting the Bulldogs to only five hits. The 5-0 victory gave Nevada the series win.

The University of Nevada softball team has been nationally ranked for the first time in school history, making their national debut at No. 25 in the Top 25 poll announced on April 8th.

Nevada is now 29-14 overall and 7-2 (first place) in the Western Athletic Conference.