TUSCON, Ariz. — Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer has been named one of three Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week for his 13-strikeout outing on Sunday, it was announced by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper on Monday morning.
A native of Greensburg, Ind., Meyer had a career game on Sunday vs. Miami (Ohio). The 6-foot-9 right-hander tossed a career-high seven innings in his season debut, allowing only three hits and one earned run, striking out a career-best 13. Meyer’s 13-strikeout outing was his sixth career double-digit strikeout performance.
A preseason first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection by Baseball America, Meyer struck out eight of the first 12 hitters he faced on the year and limited the Redhawks to a .143 batting average. Meyer was the hard-luck loser in the 3-1 loss, allowing one run in the fourth inning, with the go-ahead run scoring in the seventh inning on an error at the plate. Meyer allowed only three runners to reach scoring position in the outing.
With 13 strikeouts, Meyer recorded the most punchouts of any pitcher in the SEC on opening weekend. In his career, Meyer owns 156 strikeouts in 117.2 innings pitched. As a freshman in 2009, Meyer ranked sixth in the NCAA with 12.06 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
Meyer was honored as one of three players in the NCAA for standout performances by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Louisville Slugger. James Madison shortstop David Herbek, who hit five homers on opening weekend, and Arizona right-hander Kyle Simon, who struck out 13 in 7.2 innings, joined Meyer as a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week.
Last season, UK reliever Matt Little earned a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week accolade after a stellar pitching performance in a win over Monmouth.
Kentucky (0-3) returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to face Morehead State with first-pitch slated for 2 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio), with the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price calling the action. Fans in Lexington can hear the game live on WGVN 1580-AM or online at UKathletics.com.
