Sun Athletes of the Week: Jeff Jacobson, Rob Martinez and Renee DiPuccio

Thursday, April 25, 2002 | 9:56 a.m.

Male Athletes of the Week: JEFF JACOBSEN and ROB MARTINEZ

School: Durango

Class: Seniors

Sport: Baseball

Last week: Jacobsen and Martinez, a pair of right-handed pitchers, tossed back-to-back no-hitters for the first time in Durango history. Jacobsen struck out 12 batters in a 5-0 win over Bonanza on Tuesday, allowing just three runners to reach base in seven innings. Two days later, Martinez fanned four batters in a 15-0 five-inning victory over Clark. "It's very unique to have that happen, especially against two clubs that have been playing very well," Blazers coach Mike Gomez said. "Our history and tradition are very important to our program, and we'll use this is a way to help our guys understand what they need to shoot for."

Female Athlete of the Week: RENEE DIPUCCIO

School: Palo Verde

Class: Junior

Sport: Softball

Last week: Dipuccio, the Panthers' ace, tossed a no-hitter against Mojave one day after holding Centennial to its second-lowest run total of the season. Dipuccio struck out nine in the 11-1 win over the Rattlers on Friday, bringing her season totals to 130 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched. On Thursday, she surrendered just two runs in a 2-0 loss to the No. 2 Bulldogs. "She's a very focused athlete. Nothing rattles her when she's on the mound," Panthers coach Jaime Ditto said. "And she's a tremendous leader. The girls have a tremendous amount of confidence when she's on the mound for us."