SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For the second time in as many weeks, a Santa Clara baseball player has received recognition for his efforts on the field. Sophomore pitcher Peter Hendron was named the College Sports Madness West Coast Player of the Week for March 3, 2014 on Monday.
"It's an honor and it's always nice to be recognized," Hendron said.
Hendron posted career high marks with 8.0 innings and seven strikeouts in a 10-2 win March 2 against Manhattan at the Sanderson Ford Baseball Classic in Surprise, Ariz. last weekend. He allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits with two walks and earned the winning decision to improve to 2-1.
He was originally scheduled to pitch against Oklahoma State March 1, but the game was cancelled due to rain and Hendron had his start pushed back to last Sunday. The Redmond, Wash. native allowed leadoff hits in five of his first six innings on the mound (including four doubles), and held the Jaspers to an 0-for-11 mark with runners in scoring position.
"[Composure and body language] allowed me to be calm and continue to make good pitches even with runners on base," Hendron said.
The right-hander is one of three pitchers to make three starts on the season for Santa Clara, and leads all Bronco starting pitchers in innings pitched (20.2) and ERA (1.31). He is 2-0 in his last two starts.
FROM THE COACHES
Head Coach Dan O'Brien
"Pete is a model Bronco, an absolute workhorse when it comes to his preparation. He embodies our 'Relentless Development' mission statement as well as anyone in the program."
"We've been excited to get Pete into the rotation. His work ethic, development and maturity have been second to none, and his ability to handle adversity has him already pitching ahead of his years."
Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach Gabe Ribas
"I honestly thought it was our best start of the year. He was moving his fastball in and out, he was able to use his changeup behind in counts. When he got into trouble, he got himself out of trouble. Pete showed great poise and exceptional fastball command. As [Manhattan] adjusted to him, he adjusted to what their lineup was doing. Taking nothing away from [D.J. Zapata's] outing at Notre Dame, I thought Pete's was even better."
"He's never a kid that does the work just to show you that he's doing it. He's got real intent, he has developed his own routines. I think he's just matured and I think we see that out of a lot of the sophomores ... They've really all just taken ownership for what they're doing out there. Pete's just a worker, he puts in the time everywhere and he's committed to the work of it."