PEORIA, Ill. -- Senior pitcher Joe Bircher (Omaha, Neb./Roncalli Catholic) has been named the Bradley Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week announced Wednesday after picking up a victory in the baseball team's series opener at Memphis last week.

Bircher improved to 2-0 on the year, striking out 10 in seven innings of work to help highlight a 6-2 Bradley victory at Memphis Friday in the opener of a 3-game series against the Tigers.  The Missouri Valley Conference active leader with 207 career strikeouts entering the game, Bircher moved into sole possession of ninth place on Bradley's career list with 217 strikeouts and he did not walk a batter in the victory.  A psychology major, Bircher owns a 3.13 cumulative grade point average. 
 
Each week, a Bradley student-athlete is selected as the Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week.  The individual chosen must be at least a sophomore in class standing and boast a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, while displaying a level of athletic excellence.

Bircher and the Braves return to action with eight neutral-site games during spring break at the 2012 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, beginning Friday against Bowling Green at 9 a.m. in Auburndale, Fla.