Lexington, (Ky.) ? Kentucky sophomore pitcher Kalen Gibson has been named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. The Slaughters, Ky., native earned the honor after throwing 8 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just one hit, in an 8-0 victory at Auburn on Friday, March 19.

?To shut Auburn out at home is a tremendous accomplishment for anyone, and we?re very pleased with Kalen?s performance,? UK head coach John Cohen said. ?He gave a very gutsy performance and made great pitches, he is certainly deserving of this honor.?

The game marked the first time Auburn has been shut out at home since 1998, a span of 190 games. The lone hit was a one-out triple in the sixth inning, and Gibson stranded the runner at third base. He struck out six batters along the way. Only three runners advanced past first base for Auburn in the game. The win moved Gibson?s record to 2-0 on the season and lowered his earned run average to 3.82.

Kentucky now stands at 14-6 (2-1 SEC) on the season after taking two-of-three from the Tigers over the weekend. The Wildcats are in a tie atop the SEC East, along with Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. UK will welcome Florida to Lexington this coming weekend for a three-game series at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The two teams will play on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (ET), Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.

— UK —