LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Slippery Rock University freshman standout
Rachel Baker was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Pitcher of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
With the honor, Baker has now earned four PSAC West Pitcher of the week awards, the most in a single season by a Rock pitcher and the second most in program history.
Baker went 2-0 in her pair of starts last week for Slippery Rock. The freshman picked up two complete-game shutout victories over California (Pa.) and Seton Hill University.
Against the Vulcans, Baker surrendered no runs on seven hits and one walk with nine strikeouts. In the victory against the Griffins, the rookie gave up no runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
The two outings increased Baker's complete game total to 14 games as well as her shutout ledger to three.
On the season, Baker has a 14-4 record in 19 starts in 116.1 innings pitched. The Canal Fulton, Ohio native has surrendered just 45 runs (34 earned) on 92 hits and 47 walks with 112 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .213 against Baker.
In the middle of an excellent rookie campaign, Baker ranks top 10 in in the PSAC multiple categories. The freshman sits fourth in ERA, fourth in opponents' batting average, sixth in wins, seventh in strikeouts and seventh in runs allowed.
The Rock currently sit with a 25-13 record overall and a 19-5 mark inside the PSAC West. SRU trails Indiana University (Pa.) by two games for first place in the division standings, while sitting three games ahead over Seton Hill in third place.
Slippery Rock closes out the regular season with a six-game week. The Rock start the week with a non-conference doubleheader 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lock Haven University, followed by PSAC West doubleheaders 2 p.m. Friday at Clarion and 1 p.m. Saturday at Gannon University.
Earlier this season, Slippery Rock lost a pair of games versus Lock Haven University, 5-4 and 8-3, while winning all four matchups against Gannon University and Clarion. The Rock triumphed over the Golden Knights 7-2 and 4-2, while picking up wins over the Golden Eagles 11-3 and 18-9.
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