Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell

RICHMOND, V.A. - University of Delaware pitchers Brian Rorick and Rich O'Donald earned weekly Colonial Athletic Association honors for their respective performances against Virginia Commonwealth last weekend that propelled the Blue Hens into the CAA Tournament.

Rorick was named the Co-Pitcher of the Week, marking the first conference honor of his career. O'Donald was named the Rookie of the Week for the third time this season.

On Thursday, Rorick tossed his third consecutive complete game while dominating the Ram lineup. Over nine innings of work, he struck out a career-high 13 batters and allowed just four hits and one unearned run to lead Delaware to a 6-1 victory.

He started the game in an impressive fashion, striking out seven over the first three innings. During that time, he also picked off his league-leading fifth runner in the second.

His 13 strikeouts not only topped his previous high of 12 set earlier in the season against Towson, but it also marked the most by a Blue Hen since Brent Haphardt also struck out 13 against Hofstra in 2005.

Overall, Rorick ranks third in the conference with 88 strikeouts. Entering the playoffs, he also stands at 4-3 with a 4.99 ERA.

O'Donald fired a seven-inning gem on Saturday and earned his fifth win of the season. The 13-4 victory clinched a playoff berth for Delaware.

During the game, O'Donald struck out four and scattered six hits. After surrendering three early runs, the freshman right-hander eventually found a groove and retired 11 straight hitters between the third and seventh.

On the season, he leads the team with a .242 batting-average-against and ranks first among starters with a 4.18 ERA. He also stands at 5-3 and ranks fourth on the squad with 43 strikeouts.

Along with the two Blue Hens, the CAA also honored as UNCW’s Mike Rooney as the Player of the Week and Hofstra's Rob Kumbatovic as the Co-Pitcher of the Week.