SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri State freshman righty Grant Gordon has been honored as the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week, it was announced by the league office Monday.

    Gordon threw seven innings of scoreless relief Friday and struck out eight batters for his part in an NCAA-record 43 strikeouts pitched by MSU and UT Arlington over 14 innings.

    The Salem, Mo., native entered the scoreless game in the seventh inning and scattered five hits and two walks among his eight strikeouts before leaving the game after the 13th with the score still tied at 0-0.

    The rookie also recorded two assists, including spearing a sharp comebacker with runners on second and third to end the eighth inning.

    Gordon is the first Missouri State freshman to win the league’s pitcher of the week award since Jake Bunten on March 7, 2005.