John Baker was selected MAC Pitcher of the Week after passing a career Ball State record and pitching a complete game gem on Friday. He share the weekly honor with Ohio's Joe Rock.
Baker, the right-hander who leads all active Division I pitchers with 359 career strikeouts, surpassed Bryan Bullington's school record of 357 in Ball State's victory on Friday. Bullington, a star at BSU from 2000-02, was the No. 1 pick in the 2002 MLB Draft. Baker tied him in the 4th inning on Friday and broke the record in the 6th inning.
Ball State won Friday's game 3-1 over Northern Illinois behind a complete game from Baker, who allowed just one run on four hits. He struck out eight and walked one.
It is the sixth time Baker has been picked as the league's pitcher of the week, including third time this season.
Baker and the Cardinals will take a 16-4 conference record to Bowling Green this weekend. Ball State is tied for the conference lead with Central Michigan, and the regular season champion goes to the NCAA Tournament.
