April 21, 2008

• Manno Named National Pitcher of the Week (Read More at GoDuke.com)

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Miami's Yonder Alonso and Duke's Chris Manno have been tabbed Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Performers of the Week for their contributions on the field during the week of April 14-20. Alonso collected his second ACC Player of the Week accolade this season, while Manno is the first Blue Devil to be recognized ACC Pitcher of the Week.

Alonso helped Miami to a 3-1 week and a big series win at No. 2 Florida State. Against the Seminoles, he hit .556 with 10 runs scored, nine RBI and a pair of home runs. In the rubber game of the series, the junior first baseman belted two home runs including his first career grand slam in the third inning. He followed up with a solo home run in the fourth inning, driving in five of Miami's 11 runs in an 11-10 win to clinch the series. On the week, Alonso hit .533, slugged 1.267, and owned a .650 on-base percentage. The Miami, Fla., native also added four walks to extend his national lead to 45 walks on the season.

Manno started two games for Duke last week, tossing 7.2 innings and striking out 16. The sophomore southpaw made his first weekend start of the season against Clemson, striking out a career-high 12 batters through 5.2 scoreless innings in Saturday's 10-1 win. The product of Brooklyn, N.Y., also started for the Blue Devils in the second game of a doubleheader versus North Carolina Central earlier in the week. He struck out four batters in 2.0 innings pitched before sitting out, as it had been predetermined to utilize him for Saturday against Clemson. Manno improves to 4-0 on the season and leads the ACC averaging 14.22 strikeouts per game.

Duke hits the road for the early part of the week, visiting UNC Greensboro on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before heading to Davidson on Wednesday for 7 p.m. nightcap. The Blue Devils then return to conference action this weekend, hosting a three-game series against Maryland.

After being on the road the last two weeks, Miami is back at home with four games on its slate. The top-ranked Hurricanes will host FIU on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and then entertain Virginia in a three-game series this weekend.