Wade LeBlanc Named SEC Pitcher of the Week
3/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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LeBlanc and Ole Miss sophomore left-hander Brae Wright matched zeroes for eight innings before Alabama prevailed 2-1 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Mar. 28 in a classic pitchers' duel at the Joe.
The Lake Charles, La., native limited the fifth ranked Rebels to one run and six hits en route to his team-leading third complete game of the season, with
one walk and eight strikeouts.
LeBlanc shutout Ole Miss for 8 2/3 innings before he allowed a two-out, solo home run to Seth Smith in the ninth inning. Alabama then rallied for two runs in its half of the inning to give LeBlanc his team-leading fifth win of the season.
It marks the second time this season an Alabama pitcher has been honored by the league office. Two weeks ago (Mar. 15), another freshman left-hander
Brandon Belcher was named SEC Pitcher of the Week after posting wins over No. 18 Southern Miss and SE Missouri State.
For the season, LeBlanc has appeared in eight games and made seven starts for the Tide. He is 5-1 with a 1.58 ERA this season, making himself a legitimate
candidate for National and SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
LeBlanc has worked 51 1/3 innings and allowed 34 hits, nine runs, nine walks and 44 strikeouts. Opponents are batting just .184 (34-for-185) against the
lefty.
