FIU freshman right-hander Nick MacDonald won the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week award after his dazzling performance Sunday in a 5-1 win over Manhattan. In just his second collegiate start, MacDonald pitched a career-high 7 2/3 innings, allowed just two hits, one earned run, one walk and struck out nine Jaspers to record his first college win.

MacDonald retired 11 of the first 12 Jaspers that he faced before Manhattan got its first hit off the right-hander. 

MacDonald currently leads the FIU pitching staff with a 1.42 ERA and 16 strikeouts on the season. Batters are hitting just .143 off MacDonald.

FIU returns to the diamond Tuesday in the first of two games against the University of Miami. Tuesday's game is in Coral Gables. The Panthers host the Hurricanes Wednesday before opening a three-game series against Charleston Southern at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9.