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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: A.J. Duenez, Lathrop baseball
AOW AJ Duenez
A.J. Duenez

The senior shortstop/pitcher did it in all phases last Friday when the Spartans (3-1, 4-4 overall) swept Pacheco in a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader.

Lathrop took the opener 6-5 in eight innings thanks to Anthony Gallardo’s walk-off double, then dominated Game 2 by a 10-2 margin.

In total, Duenez went 5 for 6 at the plate with four runs, three RBIs, a double, triple, sacrifice fly, and six stolen bases.

He was also the winning pitcher in both games. Duenez came in relief in the first game and got the final out of the top of the eighth inning. He then got the starting nod for the nightcap, twirling a three-hitter while striking out two and giving up three walks and zero earned runs.

Defensively, he got two put-outs, four assists, no errors and was in on two double plays at shortstop during Game 1. He was involved in six more plays in the second game, notching four assists, a put-out and an error.

Through four conference contests, Duenez leads the Spartans with a .583 batting average, 0.49 ERA and 3-0 pitching record.

Lathrop will look to keep it rolling against Beyer this week. The two-game set begins today at home, weather permitting.