River Cats starting pitcher Travis Banwart was named the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 9-15, League officials announced Monday. This is the first Pitcher of the Week award for a River Cats player this season. Earlier this season, River Cats outfielder Jai Miller won the Player of the Week award for his efforts April 18-24.

Banwart made two starts during the week, finishing 1-0 with a 0.68 ERA over 13.2 innings pitched. On Monday, May 9, Banwart allowed three hits and struck out seven batters through 7.0 scoreless innings as the River Cats shut out the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 9-0. He followed that performance throwing 5.0 scoreless innings against the Nashville Sounds on May 14 before giving up one earned run in the sixth. Banwart left the game throwing 6.2 innings and striking out six batters in the process as the Cats won 3-2. Overall this season, Banwart is 1-2 with a 2.93 ERA.

The 25-year-old right-hander is a native of Wichita, Kansas, and is in his 5th professional season and his third with the River Cats. Banwart was selected by Oakland in the 4th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Disclosure: Nicholas Lozito is a Media Relations member of the Sacramento River Cats