University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Matt Wallner Named C-USA Co-Hitter of the Week
4/3/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss freshman outfielder/pitcher Matt Wallner garnered the Conference USA Co-Hitter of the Week honors Monday in an announcement by the league office in Irving, Texas.
Wallner hit safely in all five games during the week to increase his hitting streak to his season-high eight games. He notched an extra base hit in each of his games with a total of four doubles and two home runs during the Golden Eagles' 5-0 week.
The Forest Lake, Minn., native drove in the first two runs with a single to center in the opening game of the week against South Alabama. He added a three-RBI game against WKU on Friday and then delivered a deep solo homer to right field in the series finale against the Hilltoppers.
Wallner drew three walks to post a .500 on-base percentage for the week and drove in a total of six runs. He successfully fielded all 10 chances he had during the week and also threw an inning of shutout relief against the Jaguars to register his third save of the year.
The Golden Eagle freshman shared the hitting honor with UTSA's senior 2B Bryan Arias, while the C-USA Pitcher of the Week honor went to Old Dominion senior left-hander Adam Bainbridge.
This is the first weekly honor for Wallner and the second hitter award for the Golden Eagles in 2017 as Mason Irby also collected the award (March 20). Wallner is the first Golden Eagle freshman to capture the award since Dillon Day was selected on May 3, 2010.
The Golden Eagles (24-5 overall, 8-1 C-USA) return to action Tuesday when they to Pearl to face Ole Miss in a 6:30 p.m., contest at Trustmark Park.
