Senior right-hander Ben Currie (Clemmons, N.C.) earned SAC Pitcher of the Week honors for the third time this year and sixth time in his career on Tuesday.
Facing an offense that entered the weekend series leading the nation in hits and doubles, while ranking second in batting average and runs and fourth in slugging percentage, Currie tossed a two-hit shutout against the 16th-ranked UNC Pembroke Braves. It was the first time the Braves have been shutout in 154 games, dating back to 2011.
Currie was dominant, allowing just two singles while striking out four without walking a batter. Currie worked 1-2-3 innings in the first, second, fourth, fifth and seventh inning. It is the lowest hit total of the season for the Braves, who were held under five hits for the first time this year and under 10 hits for just the sixth time in 38 games. The preseason All-SAC selection needed just 80 pitches to notch his fourth straight complete game. In those four contests, Currie has three shutouts, allowing just one run in 28 innings of work, striking out 24.
Currie is 7-1 on the season with five complete games and a 2.30 ERA. He leads the SAC in complete, while ranking third in wins and fifth in ERA. Currie is third in the league with 62 2/3 innings pitched and fourth with 59 strikeouts.
