Purcey Receives NCBWA & Big 12 Conference Honors

A day after being named national player of the week by Collegiate Baseball, Oklahoma junior pitcher David Purcey received more recognition from the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association and the Big 12 Conference on Tuesday. The NCBWA tabbed Purcey their national pitcher of the week to sweep the national awards. Purcey also earned Big 12 Co-Pitcher of the Week honors following his instrumental role in OU's 6-0 upset over No. 7 Arizona State on Sunday.

The win ended the Sun Devils' NCAA record consecutive games scoring streak at 506 games and helped the Sooners emerge from the Coca-Cola Spring Classic tournament field with a 2-1 record to begin the season. Purcey combined with Sooner relief ace Jarod McAuliff to shut out the Sun Devils' for the first time since USC's 9-0 shutout of ASU on April 7, 1995.

It was Purcey's impressive start that gave OU the momentum to accomplish the feat. The junior lefty held the explosive Sun Devils 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.

Purcey's conference pitcher of the week honor was the second of his career. The Dallas, Texas, native also garnered the noteriety his freshman year after going 2-0 and striking out 13 in his first two collegiate starts.

The last Sooner to receive national player of the week recognition from the NCBWA was during the 2001 season when then-senior Greg Dobbs was credited with the honor.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Purcey Receives NCBWA & Big 12 Conference Honors

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