March 30, 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After earning the 12th-inning save in Kentucky’s series-opening win at No. 1 LSU and the win in the 11-inning marathon in the series rubber match, senior reliever Spencer Jack has been named Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

A native of Los Angeles, Jack was an extra-inning hero in Kentucky’s historic series win at the top-ranked Tigers in Alex Box Stadium. The 6-foot-3 senior right-hander worked 5.1 innings over the week in three games, notching a win and a save, allowing just a hit and striking out three.

In the opener, after UK took a two-run lead in the top of the 12th inning, and the Wildcats committed back-to-back errors to open the bottom of the frame, UK turned to Jack in relief with two runners in scoring position and no outs. Jack slammed the door, allowing a sac fly but no hits to secure UK’s series-opening win, snapping a seven-game losing streak for the Wildcats at Alex Box Stadium.

Jack then came on in relief in the rubber match with UK holding an 8-7 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning in Baton Rouge and LSU All-America slugger Alex Bregman at the plate, getting a sac fly. Jack then tossed the next 2.2 shutout innings to keep UK in the game, with scoreless frames in the bottom of the ninth, 10th and 11th innings for the win.

On the year, Jack has a 1-0 record and a 3.27 ERA in 12 games, saving four games.  In his career, Jack has a 5-1 record and a 1.63 ERA in 38 games, tossing 49.2 innings, allowing 36 hits and 39 strikeouts, walking just 11. With eight saves in his career, Jack ranks 10th in UK history.

Kentucky (18-10, 4-5 SEC) will return to action on Tuesday, hosting Indiana at 4 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium. UK will then host No. 1 Texas A&M in a three-game series at Cliff Hagan Stadium, starting Thursday.