Winning the National Pitcher of the Week is a difficult accomplishment in itself, but to have two pitchers on the same team win the award in the same season is even more difficult, yet that's exactly what has happened at Southeast Missouri State. Both senior left-handed starter Joey Lucchesi and junior right-hander Clay Chandler have won the Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 29 and March 7. respectively. Both also won the Adidas Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week the same week.

Lucchesi started off the dominance between the two pitchers, posting seven perfect innings in a 10-0 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Feb. 26. He struck out 11 batters while picking up his first win of the season. However, he was surprised he was awarded the National Pitcher of the Week.

"I was shocked, honored and blessed," Lucchesi said. "I've been working hard and grinding. You want to be the best you can be."

Lucchesi in his next start against Central Arkansas, Southeast won 6-0 where Lucchesi went for another seven innings, this time striking out nine and allowing five hits. He is currently 4-1 on the season and has an ERA of 0.97.

Chandler followed up the performance Lucchesi had against Central Arkansas, throwing eight scoreless innings while giving up only two hits and striking out 14 without walking a single batter. He struck out eight in a row at one point in the game as well. Chandler, however, finished with a no-decision as the only run was scored in the top of the ninth after he had been taken out of the game. Southeast lost the game 1-0, but Chandler won the National Pitcher of the Week award through the outing. Through his first five starts for Chandler he had a 1.57 ERA through 34.1 innings.

Lucchesi and Chandler were both humble being named for the award, and agreed that it's an honor and they are working hard to achieve the goal of getting better every game. They also agreed it is giving a little friendly competition for the pitching staff to one-up each other game after game.

"Yeah there's a friendly competition going on," Chandler said. "We all come out and throw the best we can."

Lucchesi believes that gives the pitching staff determination going forward for conference play.

"We work our butts off," Lucchesi said. "It gives a lot of confidence and we're going to win a lot of games."

Coach Steve Bieser has noticed the competition as well.

"Anytime you have a good competition, it's good for the ball club," Bieser said.

Bieser has been impressed with both pitchers, in particular with their strike percentage. Chandler and Lucchesi have been challenging the hitters and have seen success from it. Bieser believes both are deserving of the award by the work they have put in, as well as their work on the mound.

"Both pitchers challenge the hitters," Bieser said. "It relieves the pressure offensively where we can score four or five runs and win a ball game."