LEXINGTON, Ky. — Sophomore southpaw Chris Rusin has been named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.

Rusin was masterful in his second-career complete game, picking up the Friday night win over No. 18 Ole Miss. Rusin tossed nine innings, allowing only six hits and no earned runs. The Canton, Mich., native handcuffed the hot-hitting Rebels, allowing them only one unearned run, while striking out four. The Ole Miss run came after UK committed a throwing error with one runner on third and two outs. Rusin held the Rebels to a .188 batting average during the contest.

With the win, Rusin improved to 5-3 on the season and dropped his ERA to 4.26. Rusin leads the team in strikeouts and innings pitched, working 82 1/3 innings and striking out 73. The Friday night win helped Kentucky secure its clutch series win over the Rebels, handing Ole Miss its first home series loss since the 2006 SEC opener against Vanderbilt.

Rusin is the fourth Wildcat to be honored with a weekly award this season. Senior All-America catcher Sean Coughlin was named the Player of the Week earlier in the season and two freshmen, including outfielder Brock Wright garnered Freshman of the Week honors. The Pitcher of the Week honor is the first for a UK player since Matt Robinson notched the award on May 15 last season. Since the 2006 season, UK has earned 10 SEC Weekly awards.