NEW ORLEANS – For the fourth time in her career, junior pitcher Maddy Azua was named Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon.
 
Azua was named Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year ahead of the start of the 2026 season after earning the title of Pitcher of the Year in the 2025 season. This week's Pitcher of the Week honor is the first of the season for Azua, after earning three in her junior season.
 
Azua posted a two-win weekend in the Bobcats States Up Invitational, including two wins over autonomous conference opponents, #18 Clemson and BYU. She had a 2.47 ERA through 15.1 innings of work. 

Azua's win against #18 Clemson was a complete game shutout, her first of the season. She allowed just six runs to be scored this weekend while striking out 14 batters, maintaining her status as one of the highest strikeout pitchers in the conference. Additionally, Azua allowed just two runs to the BYU Cougars in the Bobcats 10-2 run-rule victory. She tossed the complete game in both of those outings, as well as started against #11 Arkansas.

Azua and the rest of the Bobcats will return to action Thursday, Feb. 19 in the River State Classic. Texas State will open the tournament with two games, one against Oklahoma State at 1:30 pm, one at 4 pm versus Kansas City. Both games are going to be streamed on ESPN+ or fans can purchase tickets at txst.com/tickets.