Southeast Missourian Player of the Week: Brett Thomas

Oak Ridge pitcher Brett Thomas is the Southeast Missourian Player of the Week.

The junior standout helped his team avenge a loss to Leopold in the championship game of the tournament it hosts with a dominant performance on the mound.

Thomas struck out 12 batters and walked two in six shut-out innings of work in the Blue Jays 9-5 victory.

"It was fine," Thomas said of his pitching performance. "I don't think I had my best stuff, but I was around the plate enough and had good defense behind me and made pitches when I had to."

If he didn't sound overly impressed, it's because the result has become the norm for him this season. Thomas has won all four games he has started.

"He's given up one earned run in four games, so that's normal for him," Oak Ridge coach Jason Niswonger said.

Thomas said it was nice to hand the Wildcats a loss.

"We had a little bit more energy in my opinion this game," he said. "I thought our whole team was a little bit more upbeat about the whole game, and it's always nice to come out and beat somebody after they beat you in your own tournament."