RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced the league’s Players of the Week for the opening week of the 2015 baseball season. Northwestern Oklahoma State’s Jeff Martin claimed the Player of the Week award and Ouachita Baptist’s Lance Cullum earned the Pitcher of the Week honor.
GAC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Jeff Martin, Northwestern Oklahoma State, 1B, Sr., Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Martin powered the Ranger offense to a sweep of Oklahoma Panhandle State and helped the Rangers to a 3-0 start. Martin hit .462 with a home run and four RBI against the Aggies. He recorded a multi-hit game in all three wins. In the opener, he drove in three; in game two, he stole a base and scored twice. His 11 total bases led the GAC for the opening weekend.
GAC BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK – Lance Cullum, Ouachita Baptist, RHP, Jr., Denton, Texas
Cullum made an immediate impact in his opening series as a Tiger. Against No. 13 St. Edward’s, he earned his first career save and win. In the opener, he recorded back-to-back strikeouts to secure a 6-4 win. In the finale, he entered a tie game and he threw three scoreless frames with two additional strikeouts.
NOTABLE PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
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John Chapman, Jr., SS, Harding (Set career highs for hits, 4; runs, 3; RBI, 3; and total bases, 5 in 22-0 win vs Augustana)
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Korey Keith, Sr., 1B, Southern Arkansas (Registered a .636 on-base percentage and scored four runs against Lindenwood)
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Bryce McKee, Sr., C, East Central (Hit .333 with a home run and two runs scored in opening series against Cameron)
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Mark Vaughn, Fr., DH/3B, Arkansas Tech (Recorded a pair of multi-hit games and stole two bases vs Missouri Western State)
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Justin Weigle, So., INF, Ouachita Baptist (Hit .455 with two doubles at OBU won a series against No. 13 St. Edward’s)
NOTABLE PITCHER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
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Trent Armstong, So., RHP, Arkansas Tech (Struck out seven over 7.0 innings of work; allowed three runs on six hits)
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Brody Ausfahl, Jr., LHP, Northwestern Oklahoma State (Tossed a two-hit shutout with 6 K’s vs OPSU to secure a series sweep)
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Collin Campbell, Jr., RHP, Harding (Threw 5.1 scoreless innings in earning an opening day win against Augustana College)