RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – East Central sophomore outfielder Ethan Gold (pictured left) and Southeastern Oklahoma State junior pitcher Brandon Marris (pictured right) have been named the inaugural Great American Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for their efforts in the opening week of the 2012 season.
GAC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
East Central sophomore right fielder Ethan Gold has been named the first ever GAC Baseball Player of the Week after finishing the first week of the 2012 campaign with a .692 batting average. The Round Rock, Texas native went 9-for-13 at the plate during a 2-3 week for the Tigers, highlighted by one double, two triples, one homerun, eight runs batted in, four runs scored, 18 total bases and weekly 1.308 slugging percentage. He had at least two hits in all four of his starts during the week. His best performance came in a 3-for-4 outing, highlighted by a three-RBI triple as a part of ECU’s four-run sixth inning rally in a 10-7 loss to Cameron on the road. Gold’s first round-tripper of the season came in a 5-3 loss to St. Gregory’s at home with a two-run blast in the bottom of the sixth inning. He also had an RBI triple and an RBI double in a 5-1 win over St. Gregory’s.
GAC BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Southeastern Oklahoma State junior pitcher Brandon Marris has been named the first ever GAC Baseball Pitcher of the Week after recording the win in a 7-0 shutout victory over Lincoln in the first game of the 2012 season. Marris, a native of The Colony, Texas, recorded 11 strikeouts and gave up only one hit and three walks throughout the first five innings of Southeastern’s first season-opening shutout since 2002. The Savage Storm went 3-0 against Lincoln this past weekend, also recording 6-5 and 10-0 victories.
NOTABLE NOMINEES
Madison Beaird, JR, OF, Arkansas Tech (.438 batting avg., 2 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBI in a 2-2 week for the Wonder Boys)
Peter Bako, SR, OF, SE Oklahoma State (.455 batting avg., 1 HR, 3 RBI, .727 slugging pct. in a 3-0 week for the Savage Storm)
Aaron Lucherhand, SR, P, Arkansas Tech (Complete game 6-2 victory over Abilene Christian, 5 strikeouts)
Eric Frederick, JR, P, East Central (6 innings, 1 hit, 8 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over St. Gregory’s/1 inning of relief, 0 hits, 2 strikeouts in a 6-5 loss to Cameron)