BROOKLYN, N.Y. - LIU Brooklyn softball freshman Elena Valenzuela was named the Northeast Conference Pitcher and Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon. She was also named the NEC Player of the Week by College Sports Madness. It's the first career honors for the pitcher.

Valenzuela was the driving force behind a dominant weekend for LIU pitchers, as the Blackbirds surrendered just one total run to go 4-0 at the Jacksonville Classic. The freshman delivered complete game shutouts in both of her starts against Harvard and Delaware. The Whittier, Calif. native was hammering the strike zone in Friday's clash with the Crimson. She did not allow a walk, and needed just 85 pitches in the 2-0 victory.

It was more of the same on Saturday, as Valenzuela tossed another shutout in a 7-0 victory over Delaware. She fanned five batters and allowed just three hits through seven innings. It also marked the second straight day in which she allowed just one opposing baserunner to reach third base.

For the week, she struck out eight, and permitted just seven hits in 14 scoreless innings of work. Valenzuela lowered her ERA to 1.84, and has recorded complete game wins in each of her four career starts.   

Up next, the Blackbirds head to Santa Barbara, Calif. for the Gaucho Classic, where LIU will begin with Bowling Green and UCSB on Friday, March 1.