After throwing a complete game 3-hitter to lead the Indiana University baseball team (6-13) to a 3-1 victory over Loyola Marymount University on Thursday, sophomore Joey DeNato was named this week's Big Ten Pitcher of the week.
In his fifth appearance of the season, DeNato, a native of California, owned the mound at LMU's Page Stadium in Los Angeles. The lefty gave up three hits, walked one batter and threw an effective 101 pitches while facing only 30 batters--three batters over the nine inning minimum.
After scattering two singles in the first inning, DeNato (3-1) set down the next 15 batters, including striking out the side in the second inning.
In the seventh, DeNato walked the lead-off man and then LMU's Scott Harkin doubled home the only run of the game for the Lions.
It would also be the last hit for LMU as DeNato settled down and recorded the final nine outs of the game in order.
This season, DeNato has been the Hoosiers' most consistent pitcher with the fourth best ERA in the Big Ten (1.64), while he has struck out 21 batters in 33 innings of work. Also, DeNato has given up a team-low opponent's batting average against (.214) and has strikeout to walk ratio of 2.63.
DeNato and the Hoosiers return to action Tuesday as they begin a two-day, home-and-home series with Eastern Kentucky (7-11).
