FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
FRISCO, Texas – UT Arlington centerfielder Michael Choice has been named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week while Jason Mitchell, the Mavericks’ right-handed pitcher, has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Choice hit two home runs, had two multi-hit games and broke the school’s all-time single-season walks record last week while going 5-for-11 with eight RBI. Choice began the week going 2-for-2 with three walks against Dallas Baptist while receiving three walks giving give him 62 for the season – which broke the Mavs’ single-season record that was set in 1978 by former Major League shortstop Dave Owen. He also received two intentional walks last week, improving his school single-season record to 17 and his career record to 22. The junior from Arlington, Texas (Mansfield Timberview), hit two home runs against second-place Stephen F. Austin, his conference-leading 15th and 16th of the season. Both home runs were three-run shots. Choice currently leads the conference in batting (.405) and home runs (16) and is tied for second in the league with 55 RBI. In addition, Choice has reached base safely with a base hit, walk or hit by pitch in 61 consecutive games dating back to last season. Choice’s 66 walks lead the nation. It his first hitter of the week award for Choice this season.
Mitchell threw a three-hit complete-game shutout against Stephen F. Austin to lead the Mavericks to a 1-0 victory on Friday. It was Mitchell’s fifth complete-game of the season and second complete-game shutout in conference play this season. The senior from Phoenix, Ariz. (Mountain Pointe), struck out seven against the Lumberjacks while only one SFA base runner advanced past second base in the game. Mitchell now owns 101 strikeouts, which leads the Southland and ranks seventh in the nation. He needs only four strikeouts to become the all-time single-season leader in UTA history. Mitchell leads the nation with 94.0 innings pitched and his five complete-games are tied for third in the nation. This is the fourth time this season Mitchell has been named the league’s pitcher of the week.
Honorable mention for hitter of the week goes to Stephen F. Austin first baseman Bobby Loveless, Southeastern Louisiana outfielder Cass Hargis, Texas State third baseman Kyle Kubitza, McNeese State third baseman Steven Irvine and Northwestern State outfielder Eric DeBlanc. Honorable mention for pitcher of the week goes to Texas State right hander Carson Smith, UTSA right hander Taylor Walton and Southeastern Louisiana right hander Chris Franklin. 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.
2010 Southland Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week
Date Hitter Pitcher
Feb. 23 Andy Riche, MCN Spencer Cuniff, LU
March 2 Trey Hernandez, AMCC Jason Mitchell, UTA
March 9 Chase Jaramillo, NICH Matison Smith, LU
March 15 Darren Crabtree, SFA Luke Irvine, NWLA
March 22 Jason Martinson, TXST Jaden Dillon, MCN
March 29 Mark Hudson, SHSU Jason Mitchell, UTA
April 5 Bryn Thompson, MCN Jason Mitchell, UTA
April 12 Laurn Randell, TXST Jonathan Dziedzic, LU
and Dallas Gallant, SHSU
April 19 Tyler Baisley, NWLA Luke Irvine, NWLA
April 26 Keith Kulbeth, NICH Chris Franklin, SLU
May 3 Jordan Perales, AMCC Clint Dempster, NICH
May 10 Michael Choice, UTA Jason Mitchell, UTA
