ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University junior right-hander Zach Botjer (Deshler, Ohio/Sinclair CC) was named the GLIAC Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced on Monday (April 16).
It was the second straight GLIAC Pitcher of the Week award won by the Eagles after senior right-hander Aaron Hilt (Richmond, Ohio/Edison) and sophomore outfielder Wade Kaido (Zanesville, Ohio) swept the conference's weekly awards on April 9.
Botjer went 3-0 in three appearances last week and carried a 1.93 ERA. He started the opening game of a doubleheader against Ohio Dominican on Easter Monday (April 9) and worked five innings. He allowed two runs on five hits in five innings, striking out five.
On Saturday (April 14), Botjer came on in relief in the opening game against then-GLIAC frontrunner Saginaw Valley State. He entered with the game tied at 1-1 and the bases loaded with no outs. He retired the next three batters in order, getting a pop-out and two looking strikeouts. After pitching a perfect ninth inning, the Eagles won the game in the bottom half.
The following day, Botjer got the start in Game 1 and tossed a complete game. He struck out an AU season-high 12 batters and allowed just one run on five hits in a 3-1 win over the Cardinals.
Ashland was 5-1 last week, including a four-game sweep over Saginaw Valley State. Overall, AU has won nine of their last 10 games and is tied for second in the GLIAC.
The Eagles play at Tiffin on Wednesday (April 18) afternoon before traveling to Wayne State for a four-game series on the weekend (April 21-22).
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