Posted 04/01/02:

Penny on the money, wins pitcher of week award

East Carolina pitching ace Davey Penny has been name the Conference USA pitcher of the week. (Photo: ECU)

East Carolina pitching ace Davey Penny is quite a penny-pincher when it comes to dispensing gifts to hitters. The senior right-hander, a product of Clayton High School., has not allowed an earned run in four starts dating back to February, and this week, Conference USA took notice.

Penny has been named the conference's pitches of the week after posting his third victory of the year and running his streak of consecutive innings without giving up an earned run to 30 over a span of four starts.

In his most recent mound appearance, Penny went the distance Friday night, striking out seven and scattering seven hits while taming league foe Cincinnati 5-2. Neither of the Bearcats' runs were earned.

For Penny — who last gave up an earned run on Feb. 21 against Central Florida — it was his first complete game since his sophomore season.

Meanwhile, Charlotte's Randall Poplin made it a Carolinas sweep of C-USA awards, taking home the hitting honors after a paricularly productive week at the plate that helped the 49ers to four wins.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK
DAVEY PENNY, EAST CAROLINA
Senior, RHP, McGee’s Crossroads, NC

Penny tossed his first complete game since his sophomore season and did not allow an earned run on Friday night against Cincinnati, extending his streak of consecutive innings without giving up an earned run to 30. Penny struck out seven batters and walked just two during his nine-inning performance. He has not allowed an earned run since Feb. 21 against UCF, a span of four consecutive starts.

HITTER OF THE WEEK
RANDALL POPLIN, CHARLOTTE
Junior, C, Monroe, NC

Poplin led the 49ers to a 4-1 week by going 11-for-23 (.478), producing four multiple-hit games and scoring seven runs. He had a double, a home run and 14 RBI on the week, doubling his RBI total from the previous 18 games of the season. Poplin produced four multi-RBI games, including a team season-high six vs. Winthrop. The transfer from Spartanburg Methodist Junior College hit safely in each outing and also added a pair of walks.