LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Vanguard softball has come close to bookending its season with Pacific West Conference Pitchers of the Week, as Mari Ipatzi was selected for her victory over Azusa Pacific today by the league office.  Vanessa Robles got the nod after her outings at the CUI Kickoff Tournament at the end of January, and Ipatzi became the second honoree this season, and in VU's history in the PacWest, with one home date left on the calendar. 
 
Ipatzi held the Cougars to only two hits, with one coming in the fourth and the other in the seventh.  She punched out one hitter and successfully navigated any situation the Cougars gave her, as she completed the game without giving up a run.  Ipatzi got her ninth victory of the season (9-6), and she continues to blaze a career year as a starter.  She has her best ERA at VU at 1.97 after the shutout two days ago, good for third in the conference.  Her 56 strikeouts are almost double her number from any past Vanguard season, and opponents are hitting .249 against her, a career-best and fifth in the PacWest.  Ipatzi will see at least start as the Lions do a home-and-home with Biola at the end of this week before the road trip to Dominican concludes the season for Vanguard.