McKay Selected as ACC Pitcher of the Week
March 13, 2017 | Baseball
Junior lefty had career-best 15 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings Friday against Pittsburgh
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville lefthander Brendan McKay was named ACC Pitcher of the Week on Monday afternoon marking the third career Pitcher of the Week honor and the first this season for the talented junior.
McKay had a career-high 15 strikeouts while allowing only two hits in seven shutout innings to earn the victory in the Cardinals' 3-0 series-opening win against Pitt last Friday. The native of Darlington, Pennsylvania, improved to 3-0 on the season and 24-7 in his collegiate career with the win. The 15 strikeouts were two better than McKay's previous high of 13 and the outing marked the 20th time he has finished with eight or more strikeouts in a single game.
Moving into third in career wins at Louisville with Friday's victory, McKay has allowed only one earned run in 18.0 innings (0.50 ERA) this season with 29 strikeouts and just five walks. In 19 career starts at Jim Patterson Stadium, McKay has a 17-1 record with a 1.48 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 127.0 innings. McKay is also hitting .548 with four home runs, 16 RBI, .621 on-base percentage and .905 slugging percentage this season. Joining McKay as a weekly award winner on Monday was Duke sophomore outfielder Jimmy Herron, who was chosen as the ACC Player of the Week.
No. 1 Louisville returns to action against Xavier on Wednesday at noon ET at Jim Patterson Stadium. The Cardinals will close the week with a weekend series at home against Boston College, which begins Friday at 6 p.m.
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