KU Sophomore Duncan Named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week
April 23, 2012
IRVING, Texas – Kansas sophomore pitcher Frank Duncan has been named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 23, the conference office announced Monday. This marks the first time Duncan has been honored by the Big 12’s weekly awards.
Duncan, a 6-foot-4 right-hander from San Francisco, Calif., tossed KU’s first complete game of the season on Friday against No. 23 Texas and struck out a career-high 11 hitters to help the Jayhawks earn their first win in Austin since 2008. Duncan gave up a one-out hit in the first inning and then set down 20 straight Longhorn hitters, before a leadoff single in the eighth. It was the first complete game victory thrown against Texas this season.
Duncan allowed two runs (one earned) in the eighth inning on two singles, an error and a hit batsman, but recorded strike outs No. 10 and 11 to end the inning. The second-year pitcher moved into a tie for third in the Big 12 in strikeouts (69), second in innings pitched (76 2/3) and fifth in opponents’ batting average (.207).
The sophomore righty was joined on the Big 12’s weekly honor roll by Baylor catcher Josh Ludy (Player of the Week), designated hitter Nathan Orf (Co-Newcomer of the Week) and Texas relief pitcher John Curtiss (Co-Newcomer of the Week).
Duncan becomes the second Jayhawk to be named Big 12 Pitcher of Week this season, joining redshirt junior Thomas Taylor, who earned the distinction on Feb. 20.
KU (16-25) will face Sunflower Showdown rival Kansas State at 6 p.m. Wednesday night in a non-conference meeting at Hoglund Ballpark. The game will be televised statewide on Cox 22/Metro Sports.
