Last week, the North Star Athletic Association announced their final edition of the Baseball Players-of-the-Week by the conference office. JD Kirchner of Dakota State (S.D.) was selected as the Pitcher-of-the-Week.
Kirchner went 2-0 record for the week as Dakota State (S.D.) went 3-3 record. He earned a victory at home versus Valley City State (N.D.), where he allowed four runs (three unearned) on five hits. He registered nine strikeouts. Kirchner followed up with 8-1/3 scoreless innings in relief in Trojans’ 9-6 15-inning four-game series opener victory at No. 5 ranked Bellevue (Neb.). He did not allow a run and scattered six hits. He struck out BU’s batters 12 times. Kirchner finished the week with an impressive 0.67 ERA with an astounding 14.17 K/9 per inning ratio (21 total strikeouts).
Kirchner’s outstanding performance also earned him NAIA National Baseball Pitcher of the Week honors on May 2.
Kirchner, a junior, was chosen to the North Star Athletic Association Baseball All-Conference First Team as a relief pitcher as well. He led the Trojans with an ERA of 1.99, the best in the league. He also leads the conference with six saves. Kirchner tossed 54-1/3 innings this season. He gave up 19 runs (7 unearned) on 49 hits and also struck out 63.
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