Sophomore Jack Bennett was named the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league officials.

Bennett, a native of Paducah, Ky., was one out short of a complete-game on Friday night in a 4-1 win over the No. 8 ranked Dallas Baptist Patriots in the series opener. The right-hander registered, a career-high, 11 strikeouts in the longest outing of his collegiate career while only conceding one run on four hits and three walks. Bennett notched the first double-digit strikeout performance since the last time a WKU pitcher won CUSA Pitcher of the Week. Left-hander Devyn Terbrak received this honor after he threw a complete-game, no-hitter with 14 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the 2023 season.

So far in 2024, Bennett is among the best in CUSA, ranking in the top 10 in ERA (3.98), opposing batting average (.222), innings pitched (40.2), strikeouts (43), strikeouts looking (14), wins (4), hits allowed (34), runs allowed (19), and earned runs allowed (18).

Today's announcement marks the first CUSA Pitcher of the Week honor for the Hilltoppers this season as juniors Brady Browning and Blake Cavill were both selected as CUSA Hitter of the Week in previous weeks.

Bennett and the Hilltoppers return to action on Tuesday when they host Louisville at Nick Denes Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.