Duke Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

NORMAN, Okla. -- Sophomore right-hander Ryan Duke was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week on Monday. The Sooners' closer did not allow a run and recorded three saves in three consecutive days last week to lead OU to a series sweep over UCLA.

The Corpus Christi, Texas native is the first Sooner to collect a conference honor this season and it marks the first such award for the sophomore hurler.

In 3 1/3 innings of shutout action against the Bruins over the weekend, Duke did not surrender a walk and only allowed one hit in the three relief appearances. He also struck out four batters and held opponents to a .091 batting average.

Baylor's Aaron Miller was named the conference's player of the week.

After recording three saves in three straight days, Duke became the first Sooner pitcher to accomplish the feat in four years (Will Savage, 2005). On Friday, Duke recorded his first career save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning and duplicated the feat after facing the minimum number of batters on Saturday. During the series finale, Duke posted his team-leading third save despite giving up his one blemish of the weekend, a leadoff double.

Duke (1-0, 3.00 ERA) has not allowed a run in five of his six games this season and has held the opposition to one hit or less in each of those appearances.

2009 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 23: Caleb Shofner, Texas A&M, 3B, So.
March 2: Adam Bailey, Nebraska, OF/LHP, Jr.
March 9: Aaron Miller, Baylor, OF/LHP, Jr.

2009 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 PITCHERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 23: Shaeffer Hall, Kansas, LHP, Jr.
March 2: Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP, So.
March 9: Ryan Duke, Oklahoma, RHP, So.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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