April 26, 2004

CLEVELAND - Two days after pitching his second seven inning, complete-game shutout of the season, Gary Ball was named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced today. Ball earns the honor for the first time in his career, and is the second Viking pitcher to win the award this season.

Ball, who missed his last scheduled start due to an injury, showed no ill effects in dominating UW-Milwaukee in the first game on Saturday, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out six. Ball improved his record to 2-0 in league contests, and has yet to allow a run in his two starts, going the distance in both. The sophomore has also improved over last season, when he posted an 8.77 ERA in seven league appearances and a 1-6 record.

He joins Dave Boyza as recipients of the league's Pitcher of the Week award. Boyza won the award after throwing 6.1 scoreless innings in a 2-1 win against Marshall on March 23, allowing three hits while striking out four.

The Vikings return to play Tuesday (April 27) with a 5 p.m. game against Akron at Jacobs Field. Cleveland State then departs on a seven-game road trip, beginning with a game at Notre Dame on Wednesday (April 28) before playing four games at UIC over the weekend.