Tatum Named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State baseball sophomore left hander Vance Tatum was named Southeastern Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Monday. Monday marked the third-consecutive week the No. 7 Bulldogs earned an individual national or conference honor.
This past Sunday in a career-long eight innings against Samford, the 6-foot-4 sophomore struck out 12 batters, the most by a SEC pitcher this season. The 12 strikeouts were the most by a MSU starter since March 1, 2013, when current New York Yankees prospect Jacob Lindgren fanned 13 in seven innings against Saint Joseph’s.
The Olive Branch, Miss., native had a one-hitter going into the ninth, eventually finishing with two runs allowed on two hits. Thanks to his dominating performance, Tatum (2-0, 1.45 ERA) currently leads the SEC in strikeouts (25), opponent batting average (.085) and is tied for first in fewest hits allowed (5).
The southpaw is the 22nd pitcher in school history to obtain the honor (31 honors overall) and the first since current senior Ross Mitchell did so on May 5, 2014.
Tatum’s win gave the Maroon and White a nation-leading 13 victories on the season, while helping maintain MSU as one of four unbeaten/untied teams in college baseball.
For more information on Tatum and his teammates, follow the club on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for “HailStateBB.” You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for “HailStateSnap.”
2015 Mississippi State Individual Honors
March 2 – Vance Tatum, LHP – SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 23 – Ryan Gridley, INF – SEC Freshman of the Week
Feb. 16 – Jacob Robson, OF – Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week