May 1, 2001

Cape Girardeau, Mo. --- Southeast Missouri State's pitching ace Todd Pennington's week keeps getting better. This morning he was officially named the nation's best pitcher with a 0.82 ERA, this afternoon was announced the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Pitcher of the Week.

Southeast head coach Mark Hogan was very enthusiastic about Pennington's award. "What more can you say about him," said a beaming Hogan. "These awards go to the most elite players in the nation and Todd has proven that he belongs with those types of performers. He's very deserving of this award and the many others that are sure to follow." Coming off one of the best weeks of his career, the righty notched his fourth Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week award. He collected two wins during Southeast's four wins last week.

Pennington, who entered the week with the nation's third-best ERA at 0.92, lowered that total on the aide of 12 scoreless innings of work. In fact you have to go back 25 innings of work before you find Pennington with an earned run.

He has also yet to yield an extra-base hit his last four starts. The last opponent to touch him for extra-bases was Eastern Kentucky on April 7. If the season was to end today, Pennington would rank eighth on the NCAA season's hits allowed per nine innings with 4.4.

Pennington has now eclipsed 10 wins on the season. He needs just one more to tie the Southeast single season record. His 100 strikeouts thus far also ranks him second on the season leader board. He would need to notch 31 more to overcome all-time season leader Ryan Spille, the current wins leader as well. As of this Monday, Pennington was 12th in the nation with 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings.