FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Aaron Miller (Baylor) and Ryan Duke (Oklahoma) have been tabbed the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for the games of March 2-8, in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. It is the first conference weekly award for both student-athletes.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Aaron Miller, Baylor, OF/LHP, Jr., 6-3, 200, Channelview, Texas/ Channelview
Miller extended his career-best hitting streak to eight games while guiding the Bears to a 4-0 record, including two victories over top 25 teams (No. 5 UC Irvine and No. 13 TCU). The Channelview, Texas native started the week with a 2-1 win at 13th-ranked TCU. Miller held the Horned Frogs scoreless on three hits and four walks, along with three strikeouts over 5.0 innings. At the QTI Baylor Classic this past weekend, Miller was named the Most Outstanding Player for the second year in a row. He went 4-for-8 with two home runs, eight RBI, six runs and four walks in the three-game event. Miller’s performance was highlighted by his first career grand slam — a seventh-inning shot that tied the game at 8-8 as BU overcame a 7-0 deficit for an 11-8 victory over UAB in the championship game on Sunday.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Duke, Oklahoma, RHP, So., 6-0, 168, Corpus Christi, Texas/Calallen
Duke, the Sooners’ closer, did not allow a run and recorded three saves in three consecutive days last week to lead OU to a 5-0 mark. The Corpus Christi, Texas native became the first Sooner pitcher to accomplish the feat in four years (Will Savage, 2005). His only blemish in three games against UCLA was a double in the series finale. It was the only hit he allowed in 3 1/3 innings of shutout action out of the OU bullpen. Duke went on to record his third save of the series on Sunday. In his relief appearances over the weekend, Duke did not allow a walk, held opponents to a .091 batting average and posted four strikeouts. Friday’s save, a 1-2-3 ninth inning, was Duke’s first career save.
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.
