Rainbows’ Cooper named Big West pitcher of week

Hawaii senior Matt Cooper won the second Big West pitcher of the week award of his career on Monday after tossing a three-hitter in Hawaii’s 2-0 win over Pepperdine last Wednesday.

Cooper (2-0) hasn’t allowed an earned run in 21 innings this year after throwing his second collegiate shutout.

The right-hander from Marysville, Wash., toyed with the Waves, matching a career high with 10 strikeouts and no walks. He pitched Hawaii’s first complete-game shutout with at least 10 strikeouts since Jared Alexander in 2008.

"I could kind of tell when I was warming up in the bullpen it was going to be a good night," Cooper said Wednesday. "Once I got one time through the order, I knew it was going to be good."

Cooper retired 13 of the first 14 batters and struck out the side in the ninth to lower his career ERA at home to 1.60.

Cooper has given up four unearned runs and 11 hits with three walks and 18 strikeouts as Hawaii’s staff ace. Opponents are hitting a measly .153 against him.

"For the first time this year he had his full arsenal," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said after Wednesday’s game.

Cooper added a slider to his repertoire in the offseason and was able to baffle a Pepperdine lineup with four different pitches throughout the game.

The Waves entered the Hawaii series hitting .328.

"That’s why he’s our lead guy to start every series so far this year," Trapasso said.

Up next for the Rainbow Warriors (6-6) is a four-game series at No. 10 Texas (9-3) starting Friday.