Bowen Claims SEC Pitcher Of The Week, Louisville Slugger National Honors
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State sophomore right-hander Ricky Bowen made his SEC debut as a starting pitcher a memorable one Sunday at Dudy Noble Field. The Jasper, Ala., native delivered a complete-game, two-hit shutout of fifth-ranked Mississippi in the final game of the SEC season-opening weekend series between the Bulldogs and the Rebels, coming within an out of nailing down a no-hitter.
For his exploits Bowen has been honored as the SEC Pitcher of the Week and one of Collegiate Baseball newspaper’s Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week.
Bowen retired the first 14 UM batters and faced one batter over the minimum with 10 strikeouts through eight innings. In the ninth, after the Rebel’s lead-off batter reached on an error, UM’s Mike Hubbard sent a two-strike, two-out single past third base, ending Bowen’s bid for the sixth no-hit pitching performance in Mississippi State’s 118-year baseball history. An infield single loaded the bases and brought the potential tying run to the plate before Bowen retired UM cleanup hitter Michael Guerrero with his career-high and staff season-high 11th strikeout to end the game.
Bowen earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team honors in 2007, tallying five wins and five saves in 27 relief appearances. He made the transition to MSU’s starting rotation to open the 2008 campaign, and has increased his innings pitched and strikeouts totals in each of his first four starts. He leads the MSU pitching staff with 24 innings pitched and ranks second on the club with 25 strikeouts.
Bowen’s complete-game performance was the first for the MSU staff this season.
The MSU right-hander becomes the 19th different Mississippi State pitcher since former Bulldog All-American Jeff Brantley first earned the award in 1985. MSU pitchers have earned the honor 25 times over the past 23 seasons.