Leslie tossed a combined seven shutout innings and earned the victories on the mound in the games last Tuesday, April 17, and Saturday, April 21, against MWC South Division foe Monmouth College.
Leslie, for his effort, has been named the Prairie Fire Performer of the Week.
Leslie pitched five shutout innings in the Fire’s come-from-behind 10-9 triumph in 12 innings against the Fighting Scots in the second game of a doubleheader on April 17 at Blodgett Field. He surrendered just three hits to help Knox sweep Monmouth.
Leslie, in another close game against the Scots at Glasgow Field on April 21, extended his scoreless innings pitched streak to seven when he threw two nearly flawless frames. Monmouth ended the streak with an earned run against Leslie in his third inning of work in Knox’s 3-2 victory.
During the week Leslie pitched eight innings and allowed one earned run on four hits. He lowered his earned run average to 1.76 and the opposition’s batting average against him to .226.
The Prairie Fire owns six straight victories against the Fighting Scots dating back to last year. Knox hadn’t swept two doubleheaders against Monmouth in a season since Midwest Conference teams began playing home and away doubleheaders in the same season.
The four wins against the Scots in 2012 are the most since the Prairie Fire went 5-1 against Monmouth in 2008 en route to the Midwest Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The only loss that season against MC was an 11-9 setback in the first game of a doubleheader on April 26, 2008. Knox won the second game that day to earn a split.
Leslie is having an outstanding season on the mound. He’s tossed 17.1 innings in 15 games with a 3-0 record and a team-low 2.08 ERA. Opponents have scored just four earned runs against him and are batting .246, the lowest on the pitching staff.
