(MSU Billings release)
BILLINGS – Earning his third Great Northwest Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week award of the season, Montana State University Billings junior right-hander Steen Fredrickson was again recognized for his excellence announced by the conference office on Monday.
In the Yellowjackets’ series opener against Concordia University on Friday, Fredrickson pitched seven shutout innings and allowed only one hit to earn the victory. Fredrickson logged six strikeouts in the outing, and leads the GNAC with 60 punch outs on the season.
The junior took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, until CU’s Cole Crosby lined a clean base hit into left field. Fredrickson kept his record on the season perfect at 6-0, and lowered his earned run average to 3.21 while matching the longest outing of his career. He also threw a career-high 111 pitches, and continues to lead the GNAC with an opponents’ batting average of .209.
So far in his three-year career with the ‘Jackets, Fredrickson has logged 107 strikeouts which is seventh most in MSUB history. He has appeared in 33 games, and his 11 career wins are tied for second most in school history as well.
The Ashland, Ore., native earned GNAC Pitcher of the Week after his first outing of the year on Feb. 9. He followed with another weekly honor after a career-high 10 strikeouts against NCAA Division I University of Northern Colorado on Feb. 23.
This is the fourth weekly pitching honor for the ‘Jackets, as Sam Wong has also been named GNAC Pitcher of the Week. MSUB has also had four GNAC Player of the Week honors, including last week with Kaleo Johnson being recognized.
MSUB is in first place in the GNAC, with an overall record of 26-12 and a conference mark of 25-7. The Yellowjackets, who have wrapped up a berth in the GNAC Championships, will play Saint Martin’s University in a four-game series at Dehler Park this weekend. Doubleheaders are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
