FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
FRISCO, Texas – The Southland Conference Baseball players of the week were named today by the conference office as Texas State junior Lance Loftin claimed his first and team’s third weekly honors. Pitchers Bradley Chovanec of UTSA and Matt Whitaker of Central Arkansas are recognized by league votes as the Co-Pitchers of the week. Chovanec is the first pitcher to win two player of the week awards in the SLC and Whitaker takes home his first and team’s only weekly award of the season.
HITTER
Lance Loftin, TXST, Jr., INF, Waco, Texas
In the Texas State Bobcats regular season closing series, Lance Loftin led the offense with a spectacular showing from the plate. The Waco native powered the offense against No. 1 seed UTSA, belting out two three-run homers in the series opener to carry the ‘Cats to a 10-3 victory in the Alamo City. When UTSA traveled north to Bobcat Field, Loftin maintained the force at the plate, hitting a third three-run homer in the final contest and a solo shot to seal the victory. Loftin went 6-for-12 against the Roadrunners and scored six runs while batting in a team-high ten RBI, more than doubling any other Bobcat totals. The clean-up batter took 18 total bases and concluded the weekend with a 1.500 slugging percentage that coupled his even .500 batting average.
Honorable Mention: Bryan Gerondale, AMCC; Josh Huffman, UCA; David McLeod, UTA.
PITCHER
Bradley Chovanec, UTSA, Sr., RHP, Burton, Texas
Chovanec held Texas State to just four singles in seven strong innings for his Southland Conference-leading ninth win of the year, as UTSA picked up a 3-0 victory at Texas State on Friday night. The Burton native was outstanding in his final regular season start of the year. He struck out four of the first five hitters he faced and never looked back. Chovanec finished the outing with a half dozen punchouts and walked just one in the 99-pitch gem. He allowed just four runners to reach scoring position and was backed by a solid defense.
Matt Whitaker, UCA, Sr., RHP, Little Rock, Ark.
Whitaker fanned 11 in the final game of his career vs. Northwestern State in 8.1 innings, allowed 9 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned runs (2.16 ERA), 2 BBs. Won 7-2 on Saturday finishing his career at UCA as the Bears career strikeout leader with 269.
Honorable Mention: Tim Erickson, LU; Bryan Myers, NICH.
