Monday, March 08, 2010
Logan Darnell Wins SEC Player of the Week

After pitching a complete-game shutout at San Diego, Kentucky junior and former Amsterdam Mohawk Logan Darnell has been named Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week.

Darnell, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-hander, had the game of his career against the west coast power Toreros. He threw nine shutout innings in his third career start, holding USD into just eight singles and one walk. He needed just 90 pitches to beat the Toreros, throwing 70 strikes and tossing first-pitch strikes to 22-of-32 hitters faced, facing only five hitters above the minimum. He forced USD, a team ranked No. 19 in the Baseball America preseason top-25, into 12 ground-ball outs and allowed his UK defense to turn a season-best four double plays.

"He was tremendous," UK head coach Gary Henderson said following the game. "When you throw 70 strikes in 90 pitches that is getting it done at a high level. Not only did he throw a whole lot of strikes, but he did it with three pitches. It is pretty rare that you see a complete-game, 90-pitch effort in college baseball. I have to say if he doesn't win some national and conference awards for this performance, something is seriously wrong."

On the year, Darnell has made three starts and posted a 2-0 record and a 2.57 ERA. In 21 innings, Darnell has allowed only five walks and struck out 17, with UK winning all three games he started, with him not getting the decision in UK's win at then-No. 12 ranked Coastal Carolina on opening weekend. In his career, Darnell has appeared in 46 games - 43 out of the bullpen - tossing 84.2 innings and totaling a 7-6 record and a 3.93 ERA, fanning 76.

For the Mohawks in 2008, Darnell appeared in 8 games, starting 6 and compiling a 3-0 record with a 1.82 ERA while holding opposing batters to .230 average, striking out 33 in 34.2 innings pitched.


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