May 11, 2009
IRVING, Texas - Texas A&M freshman Ross Hales was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week by a select media panel, the league office announced Monday.
Hales, from Baytown, tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout in A&M's 3-0 win over No. 7 Texas in Austin on Saturday. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter, while facing just three hitters over the minimum. Hales allowed four baserunners on the day, with only one Longhorn reaching second base--on an outfield error--and went to a three-ball count just one time against 30 hitters. The victory marked A&M's first shutout of the Longhorns since 1979 and the first nine-inning shutout by an Aggie pitcher since 2004.
The honor is the first of its kind for Hales, who became the fourth A&M player to be recognized by the league this spring. Caleb Shofner was named player of the week on Feb. 23, Kyle Colligan was tabbed Co-Player of the Week on April 27. Hales became the fourth Aggie freshman to win the award, joining Brooks Raley (2008), Robert Ray (2003) and Matt Farnum (2001, twice).
The 15th-ranked Aggies (33-17) play their final home game of the regular season on Tuesday when they host Texas State (37-12) at Olsen Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.