Northwestern University Athletics
Muraski Named Co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Week
4/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 15, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern sophomore left-hander Joe Muraski has been named the co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Week it was announced Monday. It is the first such honor for Muraski who shares this week's award with Michigan State's Chris Cullen.
It is the second time this season that a Northwestern baseball player has earned a weekly award from the Big Ten as Mike Kalina was named the Player of the Week Feb. 26. Dan Schwartz was the last NU player to be named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, as he earned the award Feb. 13, 2007.
A Rothschild, Wis., native and D.C. Everest High graduate, Muraski pitched back-to-back complete-game shutouts over a six-day span, helping the Wildcats record wins over Chicago State and Minnesota last week. The two shutouts were the first of his young career.
In non-conference action Tuesday, he tossed all five innings of a rain-shortened game, striking out four as Northwestern upended the Cougars, 13-0.
Against the Golden Gophers on Sunday, Muraski struck out a career-high seven batters in seven innings as he scattered just two walks and two hits in the 10-0 win.
On the weekend, Muraski posted a WHIP of 0.75 and had 11 strikeouts to just two walks in 12 innings pitched. In conference games, the southpaw is among the Big Ten leaders in opponents' batting average (.212), innings pitched (18.2) and strikeouts (12). His three victories this season are tied for the team lead.
Northwestern (10-16, 5-7 Big Ten) returns to action Friday when it opens a four-game series at Iowa. The Wildcats are currently tied for fifth place in the Big Ten.
