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
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