Sonny Gray Named SEC POW

March 29, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt sophomore pitcher Sonny Gray was named Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week the league announced today.

Gray handcuffed No. 21 Kentucky for seven innings Friday night, holding the Wildcats to just four hits while striking out six and walking three in the Commodores 7-0 win. He didn’t allow a runner to third base, with the four hits allowed singles, including one of the infield variety.

It is the second combined shutout Gray has thrown this season. He is 4-2 overall with a 2.25 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 16 walks in 40.0 innings. In his two SEC starts the Smyrna native is 1-1 with a 0.71 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 12.2 innings. Opponents are hitting just .208 against him this season.

This marks the second time Gray has won the weekly award this season after receiving the nod after the right-hander threw 8.0 innings of three-hit shutout baseball in the 9-0 win over Niagara on Feb. 19. He did not allow a runner to second base (only one in game) until the eighth inning and struck out eight batters to just one walk.

Gray is next slated to pitch in the Commodores conference series opener at No. 8 Florida on Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT.