May 6, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - In a week filled of on-field accolades, Penn State baseball senior pitcher David Lutz (West Chester, Pa.) was honored for his work in the classroom by being named to ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District First Team, as announced by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) on Thursday. Lutz, who is in his first year of graduate school, is now eligible for Academic All-America laurels.
The reigning Big Ten Player of the Week and CollegeBaseballInsider.com Central Pitcher of the Week has impressed both on the field and in the classroom over his career. He owns a 3.84 GPA in the Master of Health Administration Program after earning his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Movement Science where he accumulated a 3.67 undergraduate GPA. Lutz was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team in each of his last two seasons.
Lutz is the second Nittany Lion to earn Academic All-District laurels in as many years after Paul Cianciolo did so last season. He went on to earn Academic All-America Second Team laurels, the Lions' first since 2003.
Lutz has shined on the mound as of late, throwing 11.0 innings last weekend against Michigan State, allowing only one earned run while striking out six. He won both of his outings to up his record to 4-3. In the process, he also set a new school record for career appearances (78) while tying the program's single-season mark (29) in the same category.
On Friday, Lutz tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the win after Penn State exploded for 16 late-inning runs in an 18-7 victory. He then made his first-career start on Sunday, going the full nine innings in a convincing 9-1 win to the clinch the series sweep over the Spartans. It also marked the Lions' first nine-inning complete game since 2008. Lutz's hot streak extends back into early April as he owns a dazzling 0.76 ERA over his last 23.2 innings. Overall, he leads the squad with a 3.04 ERA and 56.1 innings pitched.
Come to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to see Lutz and the rest of the Nittany Lions play host to Iowa this Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (4 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.). All three games will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network. Purchase your tickets today!
Season and individual game tickets are now available can be purchased online or over the phone. Please call 1-877-997-7453 or (814) 272-1711, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for more information. Fans can also direct any additional questions or comments via phone, or by email (psubaseball@athletics.psu.edu).
Baseball camp information is now available. Call the Sports Camp Office at (814) 865-0561 or email them at SportCampInfo@outreach.psu.edu for more information.
Follow Penn State baseball on Twitter: www.twitter.com/psubaseball.