FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
FRISCO, Texas – UTSA outfielder/designated hitter Jose Hernandez has been named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week and UT Arlington right hander Andy Sauter has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Hernandez is the first player to earn a weekly award twice this season.
Hernandez batted .556 (10-for-18) with three doubles and a home run in a pair of games at Kansas State and a three-game conference series at Sam Houston State. The senior from Anaheim Hills, Calif., recorded two hits in every contest and reached base three times in four of UTSA’s five games for the week. He increased his season home run total to a conference-best eight with his solo shot in Saturday’s 10-6 win against the Bearkats. He also was a key component in the Roadrunners’ weekend sweep at Sam Houston State, which was the program’s fourth consecutive sweep against the Bearkats.
Sauter pitched his first career complete-game shutout, limiting Northwestern State to three base hits in the Mavericks’ 5-0 series opener on Friday night. The senior from Arlington, Texas, struck out six and walked one, while allowing a .103 opponent batting average. Only allowed six Demon base runners during the nine-inning contest and did not allow a runner to advance past first base. Sauter threw only 98 pitchers during the 1-hour, 55-minute game. The Mavericks went on to complete the three-game sweep of the Demons.
Honorable mention for hitter of the week goes to UT Arlington right fielder Matt Otteman, McNeese State designated hitter Ryan Brauninger and Central Arkansas center fielder Tye Throneberry. Honorable mention for pitcher of the week goes to UTSA right hander Red Patterson, Southeastern Louisiana right hander Chris Franklin and Stephen F. Austin right hander Erich Lehmann. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland baseball sports information contacts.
Each school’s SID nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his or her own player.
2009 Southland Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week
Date Hitter Pitcher
Feb. 23 Michael Choice, UT Arlington Lance Dupuis, Nicholls State and Ricky Testa, Lamar
March 3 Shon Landry, McNeese State Jimmy Heard, Northwestern State
March 10 Jose Hernandez, UTSA Jeremy Cloud, Central Arkansas
March 16 Chris Murrill, Nicholls State Ryan Collins, Southeastern Louisiana
March 23 Jose Hernandez, UTSA Andy Sauter, UT Arlington
