After turning in his fifth quality start of the season to help pave the way to Missouri State’s series sweep of CSUN, Bears junior Dylan Coleman has been named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, the league office Monday.
Coleman dominated the Matadors for seven of his career-best eight innings Friday, striking out 11 and allowing just two runs (one earned) on four singles to earn his fourth win of the season. The Pototsi, Mo., native allowed just one baserunner through the first five innings—fanning eight batters in the process—then retired the final seven hitters he faced. His 11 strikeouts represented the fifth double-digit strikeout performance of his career and moved him into sole possession of ninth place on the Bears’ career list.
Thanks in large part to Coleman’s efforts, the Bears pitching staff has locked into high gear over the last 12 games, posting a 2.75 team ERA. In all, nine different Bears hurlers have logged sub-3.00 ERA’s, while the staff as a whole has limited the opposition to a .204 batting mark in going 10-2 over the same span. Coleman, who leads the Valley with 50 strikeouts also rose to No. 18 on MSU’s career wins list with his 18th mound victory as a Bear Friday.
The Bears (16-6) will look to stay hot with a Tuesday (March 27) evening contest at Kansas. First pitch from Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence is slated for 6:05 p.m.
