Southwestern University starting pitcher Austin Smith was dominant in the Pirates season-opening win over the Sul Ross State Lobos, earning this week's Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Pitcher of the Week award.
Smith set the tone for the Pirates weekend, striking out the side in the first inning of the season and six of the first seven batters he faced.
The pitcher from Cedar Park, Texas went all nine innings, striking out a career-high 16 while giving up only five hits, two walks and three runs in the Pirates' 7-3 victory. The 16 strikouts are the sixth-most in SCAC history.
Smith struck out the side twice and helped lead the Pirates' defense to four three-and-out innings to pick up the victory. The Pirates took the three-game series two games to one. Southwestern will host McMurry University this weekend for a three-game series with the doubleheader on the first day.