From K-State Athletics
K-State freshman pitcher Jordan Wicks was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after his five-hit shutout of No. 14 Texas over the weekend, the conference office announced Monday.
Wicks, a left-handed pitcher from Conway, Arkansas, turned in his first career shutout on Sunday, scattering five hits and striking out six to produce K-State’s first shutout victory over Texas in program history. Four of Wicks’ six punch outs came in the final two innings, including back-to-back strikeouts to end the ballgame.
In the 2-0 win that clinched the series for the Wildcats, Wicks retired 14 of the last 15 hitters he faced, including a stretch of 11 straight sat down. The series victory marked just the second road series win in program history over a top-25 opponent.
In nine starts, Wicks boasts a 5-1 record and lowered his season ERA to 2.11. Opponents are hitting .221 against him while he has a team-best 63 strikeouts. Wicks ranks in the Big 12’s top 10 in wins, ERA, strikeouts, innings pitched and opponent batting average.
Wicks earned the first honor of his career and first weekly conference award by a Wildcat this season. K-State is 7-2 in games started by Wicks.
The Cats next take on Nebraska Tuesday night at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska, before returning home to face the TCU Horned Frogs. The three-game series with TCU kicks off Thursday at 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium.
