Hayden Birdsong has been selected as this week's co-Pitcher of the Week in the Ohio Valley Conference for his performance last week in a come from behind win against Southeast Missouri by a final score of 7-5. After being down 5-0 in the first inning, Birdsong replaced started Cameron Doherty. He would go on to throw in 5.1 innings while allowing only two hits, no runs, three, walks, and a impressive eight strikeouts.
This marked Birdsong's longest outing of the year replacing his five innings pitched against Murray State. His eight strikeouts is his second most on the season as he threw nine against Murray State on April 22 in a game played at Lake Land College, Birdsong's previous school.
Birdsong only allowed one runner to reach second base against SEMO. In conference games, Birdsong leads the league with a 1.40 ERA in 10 appearances. On the season he has thrown in 19 games (two starts). In total, Birdsong has a 3.00 ERA in 42 innings of work while allowing 31 hits, 15 runs, 19 walks, and 63 strikeouts which is tied for 10th in the league. He has a 5-3 record on the season.
He is tied for fourth in the OVC in batters struck out looking with 21. He is also tied for second in runners picked off with three. He becomes the second Panther to win OVC Pitcher of the Week (Trevor Nicholson) and third overall to win a weekly award (Nicholson and Ryan Ignoffo). Hayden Wynja was also selected as co-Pitcher of the Week with Birdsong.
Birdsong and the Panthers will be back in action on Wednesday, April 25th at 3:00 pm CT in Lexington, Ky. as they compete in the OVC Championships. EIU will play the winner of the Austin Peay vs. SIUE game held that morning. ESPN+ and Livestats will be available.
Original source can be found here.
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