GARY, IN. 7-26-2010 – Surging Gary SouthShore RailCats ace Willie Glen worked two more near-flawless outings last week and has today been named the Northern League’s Pitcher of the Week for the second time this year, the league announced.

Undoubtedly the hottest pitcher in the league, Glen (6-2, 2.72 ERA) has failed to yield an earned run in five of his last six starts, including both of his starts since the All-Star Break.  The 32-year-old took a shutout into the ninth inning July 19 at Fargo-Moorhead before giving up an unearned run, then worked six scoreless innings in another win July 23 at U. S. Steel Yard against the Lake County Fielders.  In his two starts last week, Glen was 2-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA, allowing just the unearned run and 11 hits in 14.1 innings while piling up 17 strikeouts.

The Northern League leader with 66 strikeouts this season, Glen’s ERA has been dropping consistently since his worst outing of the year June 16 in Kansas City.  In his last six starts, Glen is 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA, surrendering just 31 hits in 43.2 innings to go along with 41 strikeouts, including four outings with at least seven strikeouts.

The fourth-year RailCat now ranks third in the league in ERA (second among starting pitchers) and ranks in the top 10 in wins and innings pitched as well.  The Northern League hits just .242 off Glen, who has allowed 72 hits in 79.1 innings and boasts a tidy 1.22 WHIP.

Named to the Northern League All-Star team for the third time earlier this month, Glen has a mantle-full of career accolades in the league dating back to his first stint with the ‘Cats from 2005-07.  The 2007 Northern League Pitcher of the Year and a Baseball America All-Independent League selection that year, Glen is the RailCats all-time leader in nearly every major pitching category and with 450 Northern League strikeouts ranks just 10 behind Chris Swiatkiewicz for fifth place on the league’s all-time career strikeout list.

This is Glen’s third career Northern League Pitcher of the Week award and second this season after the right-hander was honored June 28 for a similarly perfect 2-0, 0.00 ERA week.  Glen brings home the ‘Cats third Northern League Pitcher of the Week honor this year, following Brandon Magee’s June 9 commendation.  In six seasons under Manager Greg Tagert, RailCats hurlers have claimed 18 Pitcher of the Week awards.

The RailCats (28-31) are coming off a series win over the Fielders capped by a 4-1 victory Sunday and send Brad Halsey (3-5, 4.50 ERA) to the mound tonight at 7 p.m. to start a three-game series with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at U. S. Steel Yard.  It’s a NIEMI Associates Dollar Monday, with $1 deals throughout the ballpark and when fans buy one ticket the second is available for just a buck.  Tickets are still available by calling 219.882.2255 or visiting the U. S. Steel Yard Box Office.