CHICAGO (April 1, 2009) — Derrick Miramontes, who pitched for the Crabs in 2007 and is expected to return this season after a one-year absence, was named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending March 29.
Miramontes, the crafty righty who Crabs fans will remember from the coiling, old-school delivery he pulled out on most Sunday afternoons in ’07, went 2-0 on the week for University of Illinois-Chicago, and recorded the first save of his college career in a 6-4 win over Big 12 powerhouse Missouri. He then went out and earned two wins by holding Youngstown State at bay until his team could produce not one but two walkoff wins. His dominance over that span improved his season marks to 4-0 with a 1.96 ERA.
In 2007, Miramontes shows Crabs fans his vintage windup, which resulted in a wicked breaking ball that often had opposing hitters flailing. He was unable to pitch for Crabs in 2008, but should be among a large group of returners on the Crabs' 2009 roster.