MSUB’s Lewerke Tabbed by HLC Again (3/28/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings pitcher Ben Lewerke has been named the Heartland Conference pitcher of the week for the week of March 19-25.  The award is Lewerke’s second of the year and the fourth for the Yellowjacket staff.  Mike Cease (Deer Lodge, MT) and Brian Strom (Littleton, CO) have also been selected as the Heartland’s pitcher of the week once each.

Lewerke, a senior lefty from Mason City, IA, continued to dominate the mound in last Sunday’s 7-1 Heartland Conference win over Lincoln University.  The win put the Yellowjackets above .500 for the first time in school history.  In the game, Lewerke scattered four hits over six innings, allowing just one unearned run.  He walked one and struck out five batters.  Lewerke continues to lead the Heartland Conference with an earned run average of 1.45 while posting a 5-1 record on the season.

The Yellowjackets are scheduled to open their home schedule this weekend with a Friday-Saturday series against Oklahoma Panhandle State University.  First pitch for Friday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Cobb Field.