ST. LOUIS - Bradley junior RHP Matt Dennis (Arlington Heights, IL/Rolling Meadows H.S.) is the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week, according to an announcement from the league office Monday afternoon.
Bradley's all-time saves leader, Dennis turned in a dominant performance in his third career start Friday, leading the Braves (3-4) to a 4-3 victory against Notre Dame in the opening game of the Irish Alamo Classic in San Antonio. Dennis did not allow a runner past first base in his 7.0 innings of shutout work. Surrendering only three singles and a walk, Dennis struck out 10 Notre Dame hitters, all in the first five innings.
Dennis is now 1-1 with a 4.09 earned run average in his first two starts of the year and with 17 strikeouts in his 11.0 innings, he ranks 38th nationally and tops in The Valley by averaging 13.91 strikeouts per nine innings. This week's honor is the second in Dennis' career. He also was selected MVC Pitcher of the Week April 20, 2015 after earning the save in all four Bradley wins during a 5-game week.
Friday's win against Notre Dame was Bradley's first against the Irish since 1979 and just the third win all-time against a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference at the time of the game.
The Braves will return to action this weekend with a 3-game series Friday (6 p.m.), Saturday (3 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.) at McNeese State. Dennis is expected to take the mound for Friday's series opener against the Cowboys (3-4).
