SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford graduate pitcher Josh Leerssen was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week when the league released its weekly baseball awards Monday afternoon.
 
"This is a well-deserved honor for Josh," Samford head coach Tony David said. "He was incredible this week in multiple outings as we put him in the bullpen. We were on the ropes Sunday, and he dominated a really good hitting team."
 
Leerssen had two strong appearances in relief last week for the Bulldogs. In Tuesday night's game against Jacksonville State, he pitched 2.0 innings, giving up no runs on one hit and striking out six batters.
 
Leerssen's best performance of the week came in Sunday's 13-7 win at ETSU. In that game, he pitched 5.0 innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out nine batters to earn the win on the mound. For the week, he recorded 15 strikeouts over 7.0 innings of work.
 
Samford will travel to Starkville, Miss., to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday, Mar. 25. The game is set for a 6 p.m. start from Dudy-Noble Field.
 
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