UT’s Morgan Cooper named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas pitcher Morgan Cooper spun one of the best performances of his college career Friday night, surrendering just two hits and striking out 11 over seven shutout innings to lead the Longhorns to a 7-0 victory in the second half of a doubleheader at Oklahoma State.

The Big 12 took notice, and named Cooper the conference’s Pitcher of the Week Tuesday.

The 11 strikeouts were a career high for the redshirt junior from Jarrell, Texas, who reached double digits in strikeouts for the third time this season and now leads the Big 12 with 86 over 11 starts.

Cooper was perfect through the first 11 hitters he faced against the Cowboys, and his seven shutout innings improved his season record to 6-2 and dropped his earned run average to a Big 12-best 1.45.

The Longhorns will return to action Tuesday when they host UT Arlington at 6:30 p.m. in a game that will be shown on the Longhorn Network.