WASHINGTON, D.C. – Patrick Steitz has been named the Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Week following VCU baseball's conference opening weekend sweep of La Salle.
 
The right-handed pitcher made his Atlantic 10 debut against the Explorers with an all-around career appearance, setting Division I highs with 7.0 innings pitched, seven strikeouts and tying his career-low one hit allowed. In a shut-down performance, Steitz faced 24 batters, allowing just three baserunners across seven shutout innings. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth frame, and retired 11 straight Explorers between the third and the sixth innings.
 
Steitz's one hit conceded dropped his league-leading hits allowed per nine innings mark to an astounding 4.97, which ranks No. 32 in the nation. Similarly, his 0.83 WHIP leads the A-10 and sits at No. 33 in the country.
 
A week ago, the Peoria, Arizona, native was tabbed to the College Baseball Foundation's initial watch list for the 2026 Pitcher of the Year Award, and after extending to career-high-tying marks in innings and strikeouts in his prior two outings, Steitz once again headlined the Rams' effort on the mound.
 
The 6-8, 210 hurler has continuously reached new heights through his first five appearances as a Ram, after arriving at VCU as a redshirt senior transfer from Kansas. He has compiled a 3-0 record through five starts, leading the Rams to a drastically improved start over last season, while his 2.17 ERA has helped to lift the Black & Gold to a league-best 4.96 team ERA.
 
Steitz joined Zach Peters, the A-10 Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 17, as this season's conference award-winners for the Rams.
 
VCU swept its first Atlantic 10 opening series since 2019 and extended its winning streak to six games through two weekend sweeps. The Rams return to action at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, playing their first road contest since February against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.