Photo courtesy of Tristen Groff SMSU’s John Bezdicek delivers a pitch during their game against the University of Minnesota Duluth on Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Mustangs defeated the Bulldogs 3-2 in Game 1 before falling 7-0 in Game 2.

BURNSVILLE – Southwest Minnesota State University junior left-handed pitcher John Bezdicek was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday following an outstanding performance last Thursday versus Minnesota Duluth at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Bezdicek, a native of Plymouth pitched six shutout innings and tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts in SMSU’s 3-2 victory over UMD. He allowed just four hits in the six innings and finished the game throwing 88 pitches, including 66 for strikes. Bezdicek did not have a three-ball count against any of the 22 batters he faced.

Bezdicek left the game with SMSU leading 1-0 after six innings, but UMD rallied to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh inning. SMSU answered with two runs in home half of the seventh to earn the 3-2 win.

For the season, Bezdicek has made two starts and is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings with 21 strikeouts and one walk.

Bezdicek is 2017 graduate of Osseo High School.

Southwest Minnesota State is 1-4 overall and returns to action on Thursday with the first of seven games in Tucson, Ariz., from March 5-11.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications