High Point University redshirt-sophomore Jaime Schultz was named the Big South Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Monday. Schultz struck out a career-high nine batters to lead HPU to a victory over Winthrop in a must-win game on the final day of the regular season.

In a game in which the winning team secured the final spot in the Big South Tournament, Schultz pitched the Panthers into the postseason with a 4-2 win at Winthrop on Saturday afternoon. In just his second start of the season, he tossed 8-1/3 shutout innings with a career-high nine strikeouts while scattering five singles. Schultz allowed just four hits without walking a batter for the first eight innings, and with one out in the ninth, he gave up his final hit of the day before exiting. The runner eventually scored but Schultz earned the win, his third of the season.

Schultz earns the fourth Big South weekly honor for the Panthers this season. Matt Armstead has been named the Pitcher of the Week twice and Ryan Retz earned Player of the Week honors.

The Panthers begin play in the 2012 Big South Conference Tournament on Tuesday against No. 2 Campbell. The Panthers earned the No.-7 seed and will play in the final game on Tuesday.