Roberts Named Big 12 Co-Pitcher of the Week

ARLINGTON, Texas - Despite receiving a no-decision in his most recent start at Nebraska, Oklahoma senior Mark Roberts was still recognized for his valiant pitching performance last weekend by being named Big 12 Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week by the league office on Monday.

Roberts went toe-to-toe with the Huskers' starter Phil Shirek as the pair battled to a scoreless tie through the game's first nine innings in which Nebraska eventually won 1-0 in 11 innings.

Baylor's Josh Ford and Texas A&M's Cory Patton both shared the Player of the Week honors, while Nebraska's Justin Pekarek picked up the other Pitcher of the Week accolade.

2004 Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Tournament

“Mark turned in one of his finest pitching performances in that contest and it was just unfortunate he couldn't come out of it with a win for him,” commented OU head coach Larry Cochell. “He was so dominant in that contest because he was effective at keeping the ball down.”

Roberts received a no-decision in one of the more memorable pitching performances of his four-year Sooner career. He tied his career high in innings pitched with nine and allowed only a pair of hits. The Owasso, Okla., native issued only three walks while striking out eight. His eight strikeouts gave him eight or more in a contest for the 10th time this season and for the third straight contest.

Roberts allowed only two Cornhuskers to reach scoring position during his stint.

Following a leadoff single to the first batter he faced, Roberts allowed only one more baserunner on an intentional walk through the first five frames and sat down 13 in a row at one point. The Cornhuskers placed their third baserunner of the game to lead off the sixth inning on a walk.

After eclipsing the century mark for strikeouts for the first time in his career last week, Roberts went over the 100 innings pitched mark for the first time in his career to give him 106 for the season.

The honor marked the second time in his career that he has been awarded with the honor. The other time came during his sophomore season when he captured the recognition following a complete game shutout of Kansas State when he struck out a then-career high nine.

It also marked the third week in a row, and the sixth time this season, that an Oklahoma player has been credited with conference player/pitcher of the week recognition. Junior first baseman Ole Sheldon was honored for the second time this season last week and junior designated hitter Eric Thornton picked up the honor for the week of May 3. In addition, junior pitchers David Purcey and Jarod McAuliff both picked up Co-Pitcher of the Week awards for the weeks of February 9 and March 22, respectively, while Sheldon was chosen as a Co-Player of the Week for the week of March 29.

Roberts and his Sooner teammates are currently in search of the second Big 12 tournament title at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Tournament this week at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Roberts Named Big 12 Co-Pitcher of the Week

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