April 21, 2008

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Senior lefthander Shawn Joy was named this week's Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league announced today.

A native of Topeka, Kan., Joy became just the second MVC pitcher to throw a complete game shutout this year when he gave up five hits and recorded five strikeouts in a 3-0 win over nationally-ranked Wichita State on Apr. 19.

Only eight Shockers reached base against Joy in that game, none of which made it past second base. He retired WSU in order in each of the second, sixth and eighth innings. Joy also sat down seven of the last eight hitters of the game and forced Shocker hitters into a pair of crucial inning-ending double plays.

Joy, now 4-2 on the season, lifted the Salukis to their second shutout against WSU at Eck Stadium.

Joy, who takes the weekly honor for the first time in his career, is SIU's first MVC Pitcher of the Week since Cody Adams earned the award on Apr. 9, 2007.