WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University baseball sophomore right-handed pitcher T.J. Hunt (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) has been named the Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league office today announced. Hunt picked up the win against Villanova with three sterling innings of relief, while striking out seven over two appearances covering four innings against the Wildcats and No. 2 Vanderbilt. The honor is the first of Hunt's career.  

In the season opener against the Wildcats at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary, N.C., Hunt came on in relief of starter Dan Smith (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), inheriting a 3-1 deficit in the fifth inning. He hurled three scoreless innings, limiting Villanova to just one hit and one walk while striking out five.

Hunt also entered the Hawks' first game this weekend at No. 2 Vanderbilt, and allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out two. For the two appearances, Hunt finished with a 2.25 ERA while limiting the opposition to just two base hits in four innings.

The Hawks return to action Friday, when they begin a three-game set at Delaware. First pitch from Bob Hannah Baseball Stadium is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.