March 24, 2003
TAMPA, Fla. - Sophomore left-hander J.A. Happ (Peru, Ill./St, Bede Academy) was named Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week announced by the conference office today. Happ is the second Wildcat to earn such a distinction as Junior Dan Konecny garnered the award in the first week of the season. In all, Happ is the fourth Wildcat to be named either Big Ten Player or Pitcher of the Week this season.
Against Army on Saturday afternoon, Happ earned his first career shutout, blanking Army 3-0 in Bradenton, Fla. Happ, who ended the 'Cats' five-game losing streak, recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts and held the Black Knights to a .091 average in the seven-inning contest. He allowed only two hits, both singles, and retired the first 10 batters he faced. Happ lowered his season ERA to 2.89 and took over the team lead with 31 strikeouts in 28.0 innings pitched. He also improved his team-leading win-loss record to 3-1. Happ has allowed just 22 hits all season, while holding opponents to a .218 batting average.
Happ shares the conference honor with Penn State's Jim Farrell, who threw a complete-game four-hit shutout against Delaware.
NU is 7-7 this season and opens conference play this Thursday against Ohio State in Florida. Game 1 of the four-game series is set for 1 p.m. at Academy Park in Bradenton.