Conference

Nick Leinigen, Sacred Heart

Leiningen shut down a pair of potent SEC lineups last week. Logging 10.0 innings against LSU and Mississippi State, the rookie lefty surrendered only one earned run. The 6-foot-1 southpaw made his first collegiate start against the No. 8 team in the USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll. Unfazed by the 9,765 in attendance at Box Stadium, Leiningen limited the Tigers, who have totaled 151 runs in their first 16 games, to two hits over 6.0 innings. He left with the game with his team trailing 2-1 and wound up tough luck loser, having allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, to a team that is batting .318 this season. Later in the week, Leiningen factored into the Pioneers’ victory over Mississippi State, a team that has received votes for the USA Today Poll. Coming out of the bullpen, the lefty tossed 4.0 hitless innings to close out an 8-3 win for his first career save.