March 26, 2018
Vanderbilt’s Mason Hickman has been named Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week after helping the Commodores to a series win against LSU, the league office announced Monday.
The freshman blanked the No. 19 Tigers as part of a seven-inning, complete game performance to clinch a 1-0 victory. The win moved Vanderbilt to 5-1 in the SEC, matching Georgia for the best start in conference action.
Hickman did not allow a hit after the second inning, retiring 16 of the final 18 batters he faced including sitting down 12-straight at one point. The right-hander ranks fourth in the SEC in opponent batting average (.180) and is one of three freshmen nationally to boast a 5-0 record.
His nine strikeouts marked a career-high while the seven-inning shutout was the first for a Vanderbilt player since Nick Christani accomplished the feat against Belmont on May 5, 2009. The nine punch outs were also the most by a pitcher against LSU this season.
The conference honor is the second for a Vanderbilt player this season with Jayson Gonzalez earning Freshman of the Week on March 12.