FAYETTEVILLE — Following a career outing in the Razorbacks’ series-finale win at Ole Miss, Mike Bolsinger has been named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week, as announced Monday by the league office. Making his first start since April 2, the right-handed senior pitched Arkansas past the Rebels to clinch the series win and move the Hogs back into sole possession of first place in the Western Division.
Bolsinger tossed a career-high eight inning against Ole Miss in Sunday’s finale. In the victory, he also tallied a career-best 11 strikeouts, bettering his previous mark of eight set last season. Bolsinger surrendered just two hits to the Rebels, singles in the second and eighth innings, and allowed only two runners to advance to second base. He struck out the side twice and 10 of his 11 strikeouts recorded were of the swinging variety.
Arkansas’ 7-0 win over Ole Miss was the team’s second shutout of the season and first conference shutout since Brett Eibner and the Hogs blanked Georgia, 2-0, in 2009. Bolsinger’s 11 strikeouts match the season high for a Razorback pitcher. He also pitched 1.1 innings of relief work in the series opener. The McKinney, Texas, native is now 5-2 with a 4.65 ERA and 59 strikeouts this season.
Bolsinger is the second Arkansas pitcher to receive weekly honors in 2010. Drew Smyly earned Pitcher of the Week honors (April 5) after a seven-inning performance against Kentucky. This is the first season two Razorbacks have earned Pitcher of the Week since 2007 (Nick Schmidt and Jess Todd).
Arkansas takes on Louisiana Tech Tuesday at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. First pitch of the non-conference matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. Arkansas returns to Fayetteville for a weekend series with South Carolina.