Hernandez Named ACC Pitcher of the Week

April 28, 2008

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CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – University of Miami freshman left-handed pitcher Chris Hernandez collected Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week honors Monday. The league recognition is the first for Hernandez and third straight week that a member of the Hurricanes have earned an ACC Weekly honor.

A native of Miami, Fla., Hernandez matched a career-high with 11 strikeouts in a career-long eight innings to lead No. 1 Miami to a series-opening 1-0 shutout of No. 16 Virginia last Friday. The rookie southpaw struck out eight of the first 11 batters he faced and retired 11 of the final 13 batters, giving up only two hits and one walk. Hernandez, the first Hurricane to earn the league’s weekly pitching honor this season, improved to 7-0 on the season with a 2.77 ERA.

Miami’s Blake Tekotte and Yonder Alonso have earned the last two ACC Player of the Week honors. The Hurricanes have earned ACC weekly honors four times this season with Alonso earning two ACC Player of the Week honors.

The Hurricanes step out of conference action this weekend, entertaining Saint Mary’s (Calif.) for three games at Mark Light Field.