After throwing 10 shutout innings in two starts this week including a seven-inning complete game shutout at UIC, Valparaiso University baseball pitcher Bryce Konitzer (Mukwonago, Wis. / Mukwonago [Oakland]) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week.

Konitzer yielded just three hits and two walks while striking out 12 over the two starts this week. He held opponents to an .094 batting average and permitted just one extra-base hit over the 10 shutout frames. Konitzer started Tuesday’s midweek game at Northern Illinois and allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out four over three shutouts innings. He followed that up with a complete game shutout in Sunday’s series finale at UIC, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out eight in seven frames to earn the win as the Beacons beat the Flames 20-0. The shutout came on a hitter-friendly day with the wind blowing out against a UIC team that was leading the conference in runs per game (7.8), on-base percentage (.412) and batting average (.306). 

Konitzer becomes the second Beacon to be named MVC Pitcher of the Week this season, joining Connor Lockwood (April 1). Since Valpo joined The Valley, Konitzer, Lockwood (twice), Colin Fields (twice), Jacob Rosenkranz, Jake Miller, Bobby Nowak and Easton Rhodehouse have accounted for nine MVC Pitcher of the Week awards.

Valpo visits Western Michigan on Tuesday at 2 p.m. CT before hosting Evansville for a three-game weekend set that starts on Friday.