Jackson named Pitcher of the Week

FRISCO, TEXAS (April 21, 2014) - The Texas League announced right-hander Luke Jackson as its Pitcher of the Week for April 14-20. The RoughRiders starter won his first decision of the season Tuesday, April 15 with a six inning shutout performance against the Arkansas Travelers. This is the first Texas League Pitcher of the Week award for Jackson in his career and the first given to a RoughRiders hurler this season.

The 'Riders won the game 3-0; it was the team's seventh consecutive victory and part of a club-record ten-game winning streak.

Jackson dominated the Travelers through his six innings of work. The 2010 supplemental first-round draft choice threw 83 pitches-56 for strikes-and never faced more than five batters in an inning. He faced the minimum in two innings, including his final frame on the mound when he threw just six pitches. The righty allowed three hits, two walks and just three runners to reach scoring position. In the fifth inning with men on second and third, Jackson struck out second baseman Alex Yarbrough on a fastball to end the inning. The organization's 2013 Minor League Pitcher of the Year utilized his fastball and curveball to strike out eight batters in the game.

Through three starts this season, Jackson owns a 1-0 record with a 4.40 ERA. He has surrendered seven runs on 12 hits with five walks and 12 strikeouts. This is the second pitcher of the week award of Jackson's professional career. He was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for June 24-July 1, 2013 with the Advanced-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The native of Florida was promoted to Frisco on August 1, 2013 and went 2-0 with a 0.67 ERA through six appearances with the 'Riders.

This is the first weekly award handed out to a RoughRiders player this season. Frisco won four such awards last season, including three Pitcher of the Week awards. Carlos Pimentel won twice in a three-week stretch and Neil Ramirez also won Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors in 2013.

The RoughRiders open a four-game series with the San Antonio Missions on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. at Dr Pepper Ballpark. It marks the second half of an eight-game homestand and the 'Riders are 3-1 on the current stretch at Dr Pepper Ballpark. For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2013, please call (972) 731-9200, email [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.  

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team has finished first in all of Double-A Baseball in attendance in each season from 2005 - 2012. The RoughRiders are also owned by Mandalay Sports Entertainment, winners ofthe "Baseball Organization of the Year" in 2008 by Ballpark Digest. For more information on Mandalay Baseball Properties, the Frisco RoughRiders, and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please contact Alex Vispoli at (972) 334-1976 or via email at [email protected].