The University of Wisconsin-Superior baseball team just returned home from a wildly successful spring trip to Arizona, and two of their stalwart performers have been honored by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for their efforts.
Senior pitcher Ethan Branum has been named WIAC Pitcher of the Week while junior catcher Jeff Miller is the WIAC Player of the week.
UWS went 7-1 during its stay in Tucson, Ariz.
Branum only pitched once in Arizona, but he made the most of his appearance, pitching a complete game in a 10-2 victory over nationally-ranked Carthage College.
The Red Men entered the game No. 13 in the country among Division III teams and Branum mowed them down, allowing two unearned runs and scattering seven hits. Branum walked two and struck out five in his second win of the season.
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"Ethan continues to pound the strike zone and keep teams off balance," UWS coach Eddy Morgan said. "He pitched his tail off against a very good offensive team."
Miller enjoyed a breakout week for the Yellowjackets. On March 19 he was 3-for-8 with two runs scored and four RBIs as the Yellowjackets swept a doubleheader with Calvin College, 9-1 and 14-4.
Later in the week he went hitless but did score a run in a come-from-behind 8-5 win over Hamline. The second game of the day against Carthage, Miller went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs as the Yellowjackets won 10-2.
On Friday UWS swept Luther College 19-2 and 7-3, with Miller combining to go 4-for-7 with four runs scored and four RBIs. In the trip finale, Miller went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI, but the 'Jackets suffered their only loss of the trip, 11-10 to Nebraska-Wesleyan University.
For the week, Miller batted .385 (10-for-26) with a double, two walks, nine runs scored and 11 RBIs.
"Jeff had a nice week. He handled our pitching staff well and continues to put together quality at-bats," Morgan said.
The Yellowjackets (9-5) play at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Olaf College.
