April 21, 2008
Texas A&M sophomore Travis Starling (Yoakum, Texas) was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week by a select media panel, the league office announced Monday.
Starling, who earned the first weekly honor of his career, picked up a win and a save to lead A&M to their first-ever Big 12 sweep of Baylor this past weekend.
Called on to protect a 2-1, ninth-inning lead over the Bears Friday night at Olsen Field, Starling retired Baylor?â„¢s 4-5-6 hitters in order to pick up his eighth save of the year.
On Sunday in Waco, Starling threw a career-high four innings and picked up the victory in A&M?â„¢s 13-12, 11-inning win over Baylor. Included in that outing was a stretch during the ninth and 10th innings where he retired six of seven, setting the stage for Texas A&M to score the game-winner the next frame.
Starling is 6-0 with eight saves on the season and sports a 2.22 ERA. He is five saves shy of tying the Aggie single season record of 13, set by Scott Beerer in 2003.
It was the second weekly honor for A&M in 2008, as freshman Brooks Raley earned co-pitcher of the week honors on March 10. Starling became the 17th Aggie pitcher to win the award.
Oklahoma State?â„¢s Neil Medchill was named Big 12 Player of the Week.
No. 6 Texas A&M (33-7) returns to action Tuesday when the Aggies open a four-game homestand against Texas State. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Olsen Field.