Zeferjahn named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Big 12 Conference named Kansas sophomore right-handed pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn the league’s Pitcher of the Week Monday afternoon, for his performance Sunday against Texas Southern over the weekend.
 
“I am happy Zeferjahn was named Pitcher of the Week,” head coach Ritch Price said. “His outing yesterday was one of the more dominant performances I have seen in my time at Kansas. Not only was he throwing mid-90s, but his command with his off-speed pitches were off the charts. If he continues to develop off that performance, he will be one of the best pitchers in our league when it is all said and done.”
 
Zeferjahn fanned a personal-best 14 batters in the series finale against Texas Southern (March 4) en route to his third win of the season. Those 14 strikeouts marked the most K’s for a Jayhawk in a game since Frank Duncan struck out the same number against Mississippi Valley State on Feb. 23, 2014. Those 14 also tie for the most in the Price era for strikeouts by a pitcher in a game with Duncan – the school record is 18 held by Carl Nelson (April 1, 1963) and Larry Miller (May 16, 1958).
 
“I am truly honored and humble with this honor,” Zeferjahn said. “I felt really good yesterday, and to be named Pitcher of the Week with how good our conference is, means a lot. Yesterday gave me a lot of confidence and I know I can throw my off-speed pitches for strikes. I just need to keep working and build off that as we move forward.”
 
Zeferjahn allowed just one unearned run off four hits in that six-inning start, and now averages 9.7 strikeouts per outing. He leads the conference with 29 strikeouts through three starts, and ranks fifth in both ERA (1.59) and opponent batting average (.169).
 
This is Zeferjahn’s first weekly honor from the league and the first for a Kansas pitcher since Ben Krauth was named Pitcher of the Week on March 14, 2016.
 
Zeferjahn and the Jayhawks are back on the diamond, Monday, March 5, as they open up a two-game set at No. 3 Florida State. Both games can be seen on ESPN3 with 6 p.m. EST first pitches.

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