CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Doug Hayes was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week following his first career shutout, the conference office announced Monday. Hayes blanked No. 19 Minnesota, the Big Ten's best hitting team, while scattering eight hits and striking out six in the second game of a doubleheader Friday.
Illinois scored two runs in the second inning and hung on for a 2-0 victory over the Gophers behind Hayes' gem. Minnesota leads the Big Ten in batting average (.323), slugging percentage (.454) and runs (264).
Hayes' first career shutout gave Illinois the conference's first back-to-back Pitchers of the Week from one school since Maryland's Mike Shawaryn won April 14 and April 20, 2015. Cody Sedlock earned last week's honor after throwing 10.2 innings without allowing a run against Ohio State.
Hayes' second career complete game moved him to fourth in the conference in innings (36.0) during conference play. He threw a complete game one-hitter against Penn State in his first Big Ten start March 26.
It is the first career Big Ten weekly honor for Hayes.
