BASEBALL: Cumberland’s Krajnak, Union’s Miller garner TSWA accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland University’s Austin Krajnak and Union University’s JR Miller were named the Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for March 13-19.
Krajnak batted .476 with four home runs and nine RBIs in seven games for the Phoenix. He belted home runs in all three games of the weekend series against Georgetown College, including a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth in the second game of the series.
The Little Elm, Texas, native posted two hits, drove in two runs and scored twice in a doubleheader against St. Ambrose University and collected two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored along with a solo homer in a twinbill versus Talladega College. He was 6-for-10 in the series against Georgetown, including a solo homer and an RBI single in Saturday's opening game of the series. His two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the eighth put CU ahead, 6-5, in Sunday's opening game, a towering blast that cleared the trees in left field.
Krajnak added a solo shot in the third inning of the series finale that cleared the trees and the road in left field, his league-leading 12th home run of the year. He also leads the Mid-South Conference in RBIs (34) and ranks second in batting average (.409).
Miller tossed eight innings in a 2-1 victory at Valdosta State, allowing one run on four hits with nine strikeouts. The righthander retired 15-of-17 batters after giving up a leadoff double to start the contest. The sophomore also set down six of the final seven hitters he faced before turning the game over to the bullpen in the ninth.
Miller improved to 4-1 this season with a 3.12 ERA in six appearances, striking out 30 in 34.2 innings of work.
2017 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 14 – Ryan Addington, Carson-Newman (Player); Travis Dohr, Cumberland University (Pitcher)
February 21 – Nolen Milton, Union University (Player); Evan Heffner, Maryville College (Pitcher)
February 28 – Collin Harris, Tennessee Tech (Player); Brady Puckett, Lipscomb (Pitcher)
March 8 – Wade Weinburger, Bryan College (Player); Michael Wood, Tennessee Tech (Pitcher)
March 15 – Ryan Flick, Tennessee Tech (Player); Alex Robles, Austin Peay (Pitcher)
SOFTBALL: Belmont’s Andree, Lipscomb’s Jordan named TSWA award winners
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Jess Andree and Lipscomb’s Mandy Jordan were named the Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for March 13-19.
Andree became just the 12th player in NCAA history to hit two grand slams in the same game, accomplishing the feat in a 10-inning contest against Mercer. The Darien, Ill., native singled, drove in a run and walked twice in the tournament opener against Eastern Michigan and hit a solo homer while posting two hits in the first meeting of the tourney versus Mercer.
The junior infielder singled and scored a run against Savannah State before her two grand slams in the tournament finale versus Mercer, a 13-12 victory in 10 innings. The first grand slam put the Bruins ahead, 5-2, in the fifth inning and the second slam was part of a five-run 10th inning that provided the winning run.
Andree is batting .368 with eight doubles, four home runs, 23 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 28 games this season for Belmont.
Jordan posted three victories in three appearances, striking out 30 and allowing just one run in 15 innings of work.
The Camden, Ala., native struck out nine in a five-inning shutout at UAB to start the week, giving up just two hits with no walks. The sophomore righthander posted a career-best 14 strikeouts in a 3-1 win versus Austin Peay, allowing three hits with one walk in the victory.
Jordan finished the week with a three shutout innings of relief against APSU, giving up one hit with seven strikeouts. The Bisons scored four times in the final four innings, coming back for a 7-6 win in eight innings. She is 14-3 with a 1.09 ERA over 19 appearances and 109.1 innings, striking out 142. Opponents are batting just .198 against her this season.
2017 TSWA SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 14 – Lexi Cushing, Middle Tennessee (Player); Brooklin Lee, Belmont (Pitcher)
February 21 – Chelsey Deloney, Belmont (Player); McCarley Thomas, Lipscomb (Pitcher)
February 28 – Ashley Scott, Union University (Player); Mandy Jordan, Lipscomb (Pitcher)
March 8 – Morgan Brewer, Maryville College (Player); Hayley Smothers, King University (Pitcher)
March 15 – Kay Brokering, King University (Player); Nicole Blackburn, Maryville College (Pitcher)