Purcey Named National Player of the Week By Collegiate Baseball

Due to his integral part in Oklahoma's 6-0 upset over No. 7 Arizona State on Sunday which ended the Sun Devils' NCAA record consecutive games scoring streak, Oklahoma pitcher David Purcey was named one of five national players of the week by Collegiate Baseball magazine on Monday. Purcey combined with Sooner relief ace Jarod McAuliff to shut out the Sun Devils' for the first time in 506 consecutive games dating back to USC's 9-0 shutout of ASU on April 7, 1995. The win helped the Sooners emerge from the Coca-Cola Spring Classic tournament field with a 2-1 record.

"Its a great honor for me to be considered one of the best players in the country," said Purcey after finding out about the special recognition.

"Ending Arizona State's streak was more of a team effort than it was just mine. I was just going out there and throwing strikes and letting my teammates make some great plays behind me," he continued.

It was Purcey's impressive start that gave OU the momentum to accomplish the feat. The junior lefty held the explosive Sun Devils offense to only one hit, a swinging bunt-single, in his seven innings of work and retired the next 16-straight batters following the lone hit. He was one of two Sooners named to the all-tournament team for his stand out performance.

"I was consistently throwing my fastball, curveball and slider for strikes and felt like I could throw any one of those pitches when I needed to to keep the hitters off-balance," Purcey commented about his pitching effort.

Purcey shook off a rocky first inning, where he walked the first two batters he faced, to settle in and keep the Sun Devils off the bases. The initial two walks were the only ones he issued the remainder of the contest as he also struck out six and exhibited near flawless control with no wild pitches or hit batters. His seven innings pitched tied his career high for the third straight start (dating back to his final two apperances of the 2003 season).

"He was outstanding on Sunday," said OU head coach Larry Cochell of Purcey's performance. "He really dominated the game and pitched the way he's capable of pitching on a consistent basis."

:"To be able to dominate a great offensive club like Arizona State will do wonders for his confidence," added Cochell.

The last time the Sooners' had a player garner national player of the week honors was during the 2001 season when senior Greg Dobbs was credited with the honor by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Purcey Named National Player of the Week By Collegiate Baseball

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