Southeast Missouri State's Lucchesi earns OVC pitcher of the week

For the second time this season Southeast Missouri State junior pitcher Joey Lucchesi was tapped as the Ohio Valley Conference's pitcher of the week

The conference-leading Redhawks (28-15, 19-5 OVC) have claimed pitcher of the week honors four of the last five weeks.

The lefty transfer from Chabot College recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts and allowed just one run and three hits in eight innings of work against Murray State on Friday night. Lucchesi (5-1) exited the game with a 3-1 lead, but the Racers tied the game in the ninth leaving him with a no decision.

Lucchesi is tops in the conference with opponents batting .202 against him. He's third in the OVC with a 3.32 ERA and 62 strikeouts and averages 9.35 strikeouts per game.

Southeast and Division II Missouri S&T are set to face off at Capaha Field at 5 p.m. today. The Redhawks return to conference action Friday night at home against Tennessee Tech. They could clinch their second consecutive regular-season conference championship during the three-game series.

-- From staff report