Lukanen earns MAC honor

After allowing just one run in 7.2 innings Friday in Northern Illinois’ 4-1 win over Central Michigan, Chuck Lukanen was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Monday.

The lefty’s strong outing helped NIU take Game One at home versus the Chippewas, who entered the three-game series as the MAC West first place team, but did not leave in first, as the Huskies took Sunday’s finale to claim the series win.  The senior allowed six hits and three walks with four strikeouts to earn the win and improve his record on the season to 4-7.  He tallied a 1.17 ERA and 1.25 WHIP en route to his 16th consecutive start with four or more strikeouts and seventh with at least six innings pitched. 

“It’s great news for Chuck,” said NIU head coach Ed Mathey, who has had 12 pitchers and 11 hitters win a weekly conference award since coming to NIU in 2003.  “We thought he pitched a whale of a ball game, especially with what was at stake.  Central was the first place team in our division coming into the weekend and he set the tone for the team the entire weekend.”

The Lombard native has taken home the weekly league honor three times in his career, twice this season, as he also received the award April 6th for his dominant performance in a home win over Buffalo.