(MSUB Athletics release)
PORTLAND, Ore. – Giving the Montana State University Billings baseball team a much-needed boost in the series finale against the College of Idaho on Sunday, junior pitcher Sam Wong has been named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week announced by the conference office Monday.
After dropping the first two games in the series both by a single run in walk-off fashion, MSUB got out of town win a much-needed win thanks to the lefty’s effort on the mound. Wong gave up just one earned run on four hits in six stellar innings, while recording six strikeouts and zero walks.
“Sam really competed well this week, and commanded the strike zone,” said MSUB head coach Aaron Sutton. “He really gave us a chance to win, and pitched through some adversity early in the game before settling in. We know it will be big for our staff moving forward to have him extend his outings like he did on Sunday.”
Making his second start of the year for MSUB, Wong tossed 96 pitches in the victory. Though the ‘Jacket offense erupted late and won the game 9-2, Wong faced constant pressure in his start as his team led just 3-2 when he exited after six innings.
Wong is in his first year with the ‘Jackets, after transferring to MSUB from Treasure Valley Community College. Last year at TVCC, Wong led his team with 81 innings pitched and posted a stellar 1.66 earned run average.
This is the second straight week the ‘Jackets have earned conference recognition, after Steen Fredrickson and Andrew Schleusner swept the GNAC Pitcher and Player of the Week awards last week, respectively.
MSUB (4-3) faces a big test this weekend with a three-game series at NCAA Division I opponent University of Northern Colorado. Single 9-inning games are scheduled for Friday through Sunday, and live coverage will be available online through the MSUB baseball schedule page.
