Loseke’s performances last week gets national attention

DALLAS — Junior Barrett Loseke has been named the National Pitcher of the Week, the NCBWA announced Tuesday.

Loseke is the first Razorback to win a National Athlete of the Week award since Andrew Benintendi was named National Hitter of the Week in 2015.

The nod comes one day after the Tulsa, Oklahoma native was named the Southeastern Conference’s Pitcher of the Week, Arkansas’ first Conference Pitcher of the Week honor this season.

Loseke threw 8.1 scoreless innings combined in three separate appearances out of the bullpen to help the Razorbacks complete an undefeated week, including a win over No. 4 Texas Tech and a sweep of Alabama.

For the week, he gave up only two hits, walking four and striking out 17 batters, corralling two saves and earning a win.

On Tuesday, Loseke threw 4.2 perfect innings out of the bullpen against the Red Raiders and struck out a career-high 10 batters.

He picked up his second save in as many appearances on Saturday against Alabama, throwing 1.1 innings, only giving up one hit, one walk and striking out two batters, helping Arkansas to the series victory.

Loseke came back the next day to garner the win against Alabama after throwing 2.1 innings with just one hit allowed, walking three and striking out five.

The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.

Loseke and the Razorbacks return to action this weekend for a three-game series against LSU beginning at 7 p.m. Friday.

Games one and three can be seen on the SEC Network+ via the WatchESPN App, while Saturday’s game two will televised on the SEC Network beginning at 7 p.m.