The righty fired a complete-game shutout with a career-high 11 strikeouts against No. 24 Alabama.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – One day removed from being named the SEC Pitcher of the Week, Florida right-hander Brandon Sproat<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-sproat/15508> has been honored as the Dick Howser Trophy National Pitcher of the Week as announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Sproat is the second Gator to garner weekly national honors from the NCBWA. Jac Caglianone<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jac-caglianone/15489> was named the Dick Howser Trophy National Co-Hitter of the Week on Feb. 28.<https://floridagators.com/news/2023/2/28/baseball-gators-duo-earn-national-player-of-the-week-honors.aspx>
Making his fifth start of the season, Sproat produced one of the greatest pitching performances in program history in the SEC opener against No. 24 Alabama on March 16. The Pace Fla. native fired a complete-game, one-hit shutout against the Tide, with his lone hit allowed being a second-inning single. He walked two and struck out a career-high 11 batters.
Needing 106 pitches to complete the outing, Sproat retired the final 10 batters of the game in order. His stellar start helped power Florida to a 3-0 Thursday night win and an eventual series victory over the Crimson Tide.
Dating back to April 29, 2022 when he took over the Friday-night role vs. Kentucky, Sproat has made 11 starts and is 9-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 76 strikeouts and 25 walks across 69 1/3 innings – and Florida is 11-0. He has not lost a decision since April 23, 2022 vs. Tennessee.
Sproat carries a 4-0 record, 2.73 ERA and 43 strikeouts across 29 2/3 innings into his next start at No. 13 Ole Miss on Friday, March 24.
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