Monday, April 12, 2010

Valparaiso University’s Bryce Shafer (Wabash, Ind./Northfield H.S.) has been named the Horizon League’s Pitcher of the Week after posting a 2-0 record on the mound for the Crusaders from April 5-April 11.

The junior right-hander began his week working 5.1 innings against Wabash on Monday, allowing just two runs and eight hits while striking out seven.  He did not walk a batter as the Crusaders defeated the Little Giants 14-6.

Shafer concluded his week with his best start of the season on Saturday in game two of a doubleheader against Youngstown State.  He pitched eight innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two hits and five walks while striking out 13 Penguins as the Crusaders won 4-0.

For the week Shafer threw 13.1 innings and allowed just 10 hits while striking out 20 batters.  He had a 1.35 earned run average and opponents hit just .217 against him.

Shafer leads the Horizon League on the season with 58 strikeouts, ranks second in wins (four) and innings pitched (51.0), and is seventh in opposing batting average at .271.  His 4.76 ERA ranks eighth in the conference.

This is the first time this season and third time in his career that Shafer has been named the league’s Pitcher of the Week.

With the weekly honor, Shafer is now eligible for the Horizon League Network’s ‘The People’s Choice honor.  Fans can vote for Shafer by visiting www.horizonleaguenetwork.tv and voting in ‘The People’s Choice’ poll on the right-hand side of the page thru Tuesday afternoon.

Valparaiso (11-18, 2-1 Horizon) will return to the diamond on Tuesday evening as the Crusaders host Indiana at U.S. Steel Yard in Gary.  First pitch is set for 7 p.m.