SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman infielder Jared Mihalik and Samford left-hander Samuel Strickland have been named the Southern Conference player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for all games April 2-8. The selections are made by the league office.
Mihalik racked up eight hits and nine RBIs with four home runs in four games for Furman last week. The Johns Creek, Georgia, native homered in each game, tying the Paladin record for home runs in consecutive game. Starting three games at designated hitter and one in left field, Mihalik slugged 1.235 with an on-base percentage of .500. Against Georgia State on Wednesday, the freshman sparked a rally with a two-run home run in the third inning, as Furman came back from a 10-0 deficit to defeat the Panthers 13-12. In the series opener against Mercer on Friday, the righty went 3-for-5 with a two-run shot as Furman topped Mercer 12-9. Mihalik followed up that performance by belting a three-run home run, helping the Paladins claim the series from the Bears with a 7-6 victory on Sunday. In the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, Mihalik would register another two-run homer in the series finale. Despite dropping game three, Furman handed Mercer just its second series loss of the season. Mihalik, who just moved into the starting lineup, was named one of Collegiate Baseball's National Players of the Week.
Strickland tossed seven shutout innings against The Citadel on Saturday, striking out five batters and capturing the 7-0 win for Samford. The freshman allowed three hits on just 83 pitches. A Birmingham, Alabama, native, Strickland has twice previously been named SoCon Pitcher of the Week this season (Feb. 26, March 5). Among starters, Strickland leads the SoCon in ERA (1.35) and opposing batting average (.142) while leading Samford in wins (five) and strikeouts (44).
Furman hosts Winthrop on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before welcoming Wofford to Greenville, South Carolina, for a three-game series beginning on Friday. Samford will face No. 19 Auburn at home on Tuesday before hosting Mercer for three games beginning on Friday.
Also nominated for Player of the Week: Chris Cook (ETSU), RJ Yeager (Mercer), Cesar Trejo (UNCG), Austin Edens (Samford), Justin Sparks (Western Carolina) and Brett Rodriguez (Wofford).
Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Russell Koesters (ETSU), Robert Broom (Mercer), Easton Welch (UNCG), Tristan Baker (Western Carolina) and Adam Scott (Wofford).
2018 SoCon Players of the Week
Feb. 19 Jake Crawford, Furman
Feb. 26 Matt Dunlevy, VMI
March 5 Matt Pita, VMI
March 12 Cesar Trejo, UNCG
March 19 Trey Truitt, Mercer
March 26 Caleb Webster, UNCG
April 2 Jackson Ware, Mercer
April 9 Jared Mihalik, Furman
2018 SoCon Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 19 Micah Kaczor, ETSU
Feb. 26 Samuel Strickland, Samford
March 5 Samuel Strickland, Samford
March 12 Jack Maynard, UNCG
March 19 Adam Scott, Wofford
March 26 Jordan Buster, The Citadel
April 2 Dylan Spence, The Citadel
April 9 Samuel Strickland, Samford
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