Southeast Missouri State's Joey Lucchesi named OVC pitcher of the week for third time this season

Southeast Missouri State ace Joey Lucchesi was tabbed the Ohio Valley Conference's pitcher of the week for the third time this season.

The left-handed junior transfer improved to 7-1 on the season as the Redhawks defeated Belmont 12-0 on Thursday night to clinch their second consecutive OVC regular-season championship and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.

He did not allow a hit until the fourth inning against the Bruins, who were shut out for the first time all season. He gave up six hits while he struck out seven batters and walked four in eight innings of work.

Lucchesi, who worked his way into the Redhawks starting rotation by the start of conference action in March, has the league's top ERA vs. conference opponents at 2.13. He held OVC teams to a conference-best .182 batting average and ranks No. 1 in strikeouts with 77 -- 20 more than any other pitcher in conference-only games.

Southeast pitchers have earned OVC pitcher of the week honors six times in the last eight weeks with Travis Hayes, Alex Winkelman and Jacob Lawrence each winning it once.

The Redhawks' first game in the OVC tournament is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at The Ballpark in Jackson, Tennessee. They will play the worst seed of the winners of Wednesday night's first-round games.