Cooper wins Hawaii’s first Big West baseball award
Hawaii junior right-hander Matt Cooper was named the Big West Conference pitcher of the week on Monday.
Cooper, a transfer from Bellevue (Wash.) Community College, struck out a career-high 10 in 7 2/3 innings in a 7-0 win over Wichita State on Saturday, clinching Hawaii’s first series win of the season.
Cooper, 2-2 with 1.53 ERA, hasn’t allowed a run in 16 2/3 consecutive innings and has given up only one run in 28 2/3 innings at home.
It’s the first conference award for Hawaii since joining the Big West after spending the last 33 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference.
Hawaii (5-16) has won four of five and begins conference play on Thursday at home hosting UC Santa Barbara.