Pitt’s Sandefur Named ACC Baseball Pitcher of the Week

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Following a stellar performance in which he set a record for strikeouts thrown by a Pitt pitcher at Charles L. Cost Field, senior Aaron Sandefur has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the league Monday afternoon.

(Photo courtesy of Pitt Athletics)

Sandefur led the Panthers to 5-0 shutout victory Friday afternoon, throwing 12 strikeouts, while not surrendering a walk, tossing a complete game. The 9.0 innings of work marked the first time a Pitt pitcher went the distance since T.J. Zeuch on April 10, 2015 against Wake Forest.

“He did an outstanding job, he earned it,” said head coach Joe Jordano. “What we talked about all season, when you minimize opportunities, which he did with no walks, we played clean defensively, got a couple of timely hits and Aaron was dominant. He pitched ahead in the count, he pitched quick, our defense was ready and we played another clean baseball game.”

Sandefur’s 12 strikeouts were the most by a Pitt pitcher at Charles L. Cost Field in program history and came just one shy of the program record of 13 set by Matt Wotherspoon on March 11, 2012 against Michigan State.

“Especially with the last outing I had, the goal was to work ahead of hitters, win the 1-1 count and fortunately I was able to get some strikeouts,” Sandefur added. “I think the biggest accomplishment for me was no walks, which was a huge thing for my confidence going forward.”

This is the first ACC weekly honor for Sandefur and the second of the season for the Panthers as Nick Yarnall was name the Co-ACC Player of the Week on Feb. 26, following a five-home run performance against Grambling State.

The Panthers return to the diamond Wednesday, welcoming regional foe Kent State to The Cost for the second of a home-and-home series. Pitt will resume ACC play Friday-Sunday as it heads to No. 14 Clemson for a three-game stand with the Tigers.