BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee pitcher Cam Appenzeller was named the SEC Freshman of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.
The talented left-hander once again proved why he’s among the nation’s elite freshmen, recording his third victory in SEC play with another dominant relief outing for UT in its series-opening win at No. 8/9 Mississippi State on Friday night.
Appenzeller racked up a career-high eight strikeouts over the final five innings of the Vols’ 6-5 victory, allowing just two runs on three hits against one of the country’s most dangerous lineups.
The Chatham, Illinois, native, retired the first nine batters he faced after entering the game in the fifth inning. The two runs were the first he’s allowed in SEC play this season, ending a streak of 21.2 consecutive scoreless innings to begin league play.
For the year, Appenzeller is 5-0 with a conference-leading 0.69 WHIP and also boasts a 1.49 ERA, which ranks second in the league. In SEC games, Appenzeller has a 0.60 WHIP and 0.77 ERA with 27 strikeouts and just two walks in 23.1 innings of work.
Appenzeller is the first Vol to win an SEC weekly award this season and the first UT player to earn Freshman of the Week honors since Levi Clark on March 10 of last season.
