July 15, 2008

The University of Dayton's Burny Mitchem was named the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League co-Pitcher of the Week for his performance in a start on July 1. Pitching for the Columbus All-Americans, Mitchem took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in an 8-0 win against Athletes In Action. He shared the honor with Bradley University's Collin Brennan, who pitches for the Licking County Settlers.

Mitchem faced two hitters over the minimum in eight innings of work. He retired the first 15 he faced before hitting the leadoff hitter in the sixth (who was erased in a double play). He also walked the first AIA batter in the seventh, but did not allow a hit until two outs in the eighth. Mitchem struck out nine as he improved to 2-1 on the season.

Mitchem and Flyer teammate Jacob Spaeth of the Delaware Cows have been selected to play in Wednesday's GLSCL All-Star game that will be played at Western Hills High School in Cincinnati.

The ace of the All-Americans' pitching staff, Mitchem has not allowed an earned run in five starts and 25 innings this summer. He has 36 strikeouts against just seven walks. Opponents are hitting .096 against him. Spaeth is leading off for the Cows, batting .254 but leading the team with a .398 on-base percentage.

Mitchem was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team in 2008 after a freshman season where he tied for the team lead with five wins, which all came against Atlantic 10 opponents. The Farmington, Michigan native also led the UD pitching staff with four saves and a 2.06 ERA and made a UD freshman record 22 appearances. The 6-6 right-hander struck out 61 batters in 39.1 innings pitched while holding opponents to a .242 batting average. Spaeth appeared in all 56 games for UD, and started 51 at both the second base and the outfield. He hit .258 with 27 RBI and led the team by going a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts. He also led the team in fielding percentage .994 and was named the team's Best Practice Player.

Dayton had a 31-25 overall record in 2008 to finish seventh in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. UD posted its fifth 30-win season in program history, which have all come since 2001 under the direction of head coach Tony Vittorio. The Flyer pitching staff was one of the best overall in the nation with a 4.24 ERA that led the A-10 and was 31st in Division I.