Baseball Southern Conference

Roper, Hester named SoCon players of the week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s catcher Dax Roper and Samford’s right-hander Zach Hester have been named the Southern Conference player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for all games April 29-May 5. The selections were made by the league office.

Starting three games at catcher for the Paladins this past week, Roper went 8-for-12, recording three doubles, a triple, six RBIs and crossed home five times, helping the Paladins claim the series win over VMI. He slugged a 1.093 with 13 total bases, drawing a pair of walks and only striking out one time in 12 at bats. Defensively, he helped hold the Keydets to one stolen base the entire series. 

Roper is currently second on the team in in slugging percentage (.540), on base percentage (.408), hits (47), triples (3) and is tied for second with teammate Jabari Richards in home runs (7). He leads the Paladins in runs scored (36) and doubles (13).

The Paladins (20-27, 9-9 SoCon) turn their attention to an in-state matchup against South Carolina (24-23) on Wednesday before traveling to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a conference matchup against Wofford (29-20, 11-6 SoCon).

Also nominated: Kel Johnson (Mercer), Greg Hardison (UNCG), Jon Clines (VMI), Daylan Nanny (Western Carolina) and Mike Brown (Wofford).  

The Bulldogs Hester pitched eight innings, giving up no runs and just one hit in Samford’s first game in a doubleheader against Mercer. He recorded 10 strikeouts while allowing just two walks.

Hester is currently first for the Bulldogs in earned run average (1.94) and tied for first with teammate Samuel Strickland with wins (6). He was named the Southern Conference’s April Pitcher of the Month last week.

Next up for the Bulldogs (34-15, 14-4 SoCon) is a conference matchup against Western Carolina (18-25, 7-11 SoCon) this weekend. The Bulldogs currently are at the top of the conference standings with a 34-15, 14-4 SoCon, record.

Also nominated: Jordan Flanders (The Citadel), Kevin Coulter (Mercer), Chad Sykes (UNCG), Nathan Light (VMI) and Hayes Heinecke (Wofford).   

2019 SoCon Players of the Week

Feb. 18       Jackson Greer, ETSU

Feb. 25       RJ Yeager, Mercer

March 4      Daylan Nanny, Western Carolina

March 11    Immanuel Wilder, Western Carolina

March 18    Kel Johnson, Mercer

March 25    Jordan Fucci, Samford

April 1         Jabari Richards, Furman

April 8         Zach Budzik, UNCG

April 15       Hudson Byorick, Wofford

April 22       Brooks Carlson, Samford

April 29       Hudson Byorick, Wofford 

May 6         Dax Roper, Furman

2019 SoCon Pitchers of the Week

Feb. 18       Shane Connolly, The Citadel

Feb. 25       Jordan Merritt, The Citadel

March 4      Hayes Heinecke, Wofford

March 11    Hayes Heinecke, Wofford

March 18    Zak Kent, VMI

March 25    Shane Connolly, The Citadel

April 1         Austin Higginbotham, Wofford

April 8         Zak Kent, VMI

April 15       Tanner Hall, Mercer

April 22       Chase Walter, Western Carolina

April 29       David Dunlavey, Furman

May 6         Zach Hester, Samford    

-www.SoConSports.com-