March 29, 2011
By Cassandra Novy, Mizzou Media Relations Student Assistant
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Each week, MUTigers.com will select a pitcher and position player that will be honored as the Mizzou Baseball Players of the Week. The Tigers went 2-2 last week but ended the week on a high note, topping No. 7 Oklahoma in extra innings on Friday. The Tiger pitchers had a dominating series against OU over the weekend, allowing just one earned run over 20.0 innings so this week MUTigers.com recognizes a pair of pitchers for their efforts. Also, first baseman Scott Sommerfeld has been honored as the Player of the Week.
Co-Pitchers of the Week
Rob Zastryzny
With an unusual, yet unforgettable last name, Rob Zastryzny is making this season one to remember. Zastryzny hails from Corpus Christi, Texas, and is already having a breakout season. The lefty starter leads the team in innings pitched with 37.1 and strikeouts, knocking out 33 batters so far. His 37.1 innings pitched ties him for seventh among Big 12 pitchers this season. He boasts a 2.65 ERA which is second-best among Tiger starters, and he is a true freshman.
In his sixth start of the season last Friday, Zastryzny struck out a career-high eight batters in 8.0 innings of work against OU, allowing no earned runs against one of the best offensive teams in the nation. In fact, over his last three starts, he's fanned 23 batters. He's held his opponents to a .239 BA, which is second on the team just behind Phil McCormick. Zastryzny is first on the team in WHIP at 1.16 as well. He has a 2-2 record claiming wins over University of Illinois-Chicago and Central Michigan. With stats and pitching like his, you won't be forgetting Zastryzny any time soon.
Phil McCormick
Paving the way as the Tigers' top reliever, senior Phil McCormick has already made 14 appearances this season. His 36 appearances last season are a school record and he's on his way to exceed that mark this year. His 14 appearances make him the Big 12 leader and he claims the top spot among Big 12 pitchers for opponent batting average in Big 12 games, holding his opponents to a .077 clip. McCormick owns a 3.00 ERA, ranking him third on the team and second among relievers.
The Tiger lefty earned his third win this season last Friday against OU when he pitched the last 4.1 innings - two of which were extra innings - of the second game. He allowed just one hit, while striking out four, helping the Tigers snag a 2-1 victory over the seventh-ranked Sooners. He possesses a 3-1 record, collecting wins over Le Moyne and University of UNC-Charlotte, as well as Oklahoma.
Player of the Week
Scott Sommerfeld
Leading the Tiger offense as of late has been sophomore first baseman Scott Sommerfeld. He had a powerful two-game series against Central Arkansas, gathering a total of five hits and three RBI. Sommerfeld was the only Tiger to get hits in both games and tied his career high of a three hits in one outing. Sommerfeld's strong bat has placed him fifth overall in hits on the team with 19. His average of .297 is fourth-best among the Tigers.