EUGENE, Ore. – Coming off a series win over No. 10 UCLA at PK Park last weekend, Oregon left-handed pitcher Grayson Grinsell and centerfielder Mason Neville have been named the Big Ten Conference Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively, the conference announced on Monday.
Grinsell, a junior from Reno, Nev. set the tone for the series against long-time rival UCLA on Friday night. The Ducks’ lefty handcuffed the Bruins tossing a two-hitter in a 2-1 Oregon victory while walking just one and striking out seven. Grinsell allowed just a third-inning base hit that the batter was thrown out on from the outfield while making a big turn around first and a seventh-inning solo home run. Grinsell retired the first six batters he faced, as well as 10 in a row from the third inning to the sixth inning. He capped the outing by retiring the final six batters after giving up the solo home run. The complete game was the first of Grinsell’s career.
Neville, a junior from Las Vegas, Nev. had yet another monster week slashing .500/.611/1.286 with a 1.897 OPS while homering three times and reaching base in 11 of 18 plate appearances. On Sunday, Neville became Oregon’s all-time single-season home run leader when he hit his 19th. The three-run record setter gave Oregon a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning and he added a double in Oregon’s four-run eighth (the game was tied 6-6 heading into the inning). In game two of the series, Neville hit his fifth leadoff home run of the season. The Ducks’ centerfielder started the week going 2-for-3 with four RBI in a Monday win at Georgetown. He had a grand slam and a double in the win. Neville now leads the nation with 19 home runs.
Grinsell and Neville became the fourth and fifth Ducks to win a conference honor this season. Dominic Hellman claimed Big Ten Player of the Week accolades on March 3 after Burke-Lee Mabeus was the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week on Feb. 24. Starting pitcher Collin Clarke claimed the league’s weekly honor on March 17.
All-Time Big Ten Conference Pitchers of the Week
All-Time Pac-12 Conference Pitchers of the Week
All-Time Big Ten Conference Players of the Week
All-Time Pac-12 Conference Players of the Week
