SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI outfielder Will Knight and ETSU right-hander Landon Knack have been named the Southern Conference player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for all games Feb. 17-23. The selections are made by the league office.
 
Knight led the Keydets offensively throughout the week, recording hits in all four games. The Amherst, Virginia, native opened the week with a three-hit day against Virginia on Feb. 19 with two doubles and two RBIs. Knight notched one hit in Friday’s series opener against Lafayette before going 3-for-5 on Saturday to lead the Keydets to a 9-1 win. Knight capped off his impressive week with two hits in the Sunday finale with the Leopards. For the week, the redshirt sophomore batted .467 and slugged .867 with seven hits, five runs and three RBIs.
 
The weekly award is the first of Knight’s career.
 
VMI (2-5) will hit the road for a midweek game at James Madison (4-3) on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with first pitch set for 3 p.m.
 
Knack continued his dominant start to the season by picking up a second win in as many starts this season. Knack set a new career high with 12 strikeouts in the win over Rider on Feb. 21 after tying his previous career high with 11 strikeouts in his last appearance. The Johnson City, Tennessee, native tossed a perfect 6 2/3 innings before the Broncs recorded their first hit on a popup in the infield. Knack worked a total of seven innings with just one hit and no walks. He is now 2-0 for the season and leads the league with 23 total strikeouts.
 
The weekly award is the second of Knack’s career and this season.
 
ETSU (5-2) will travel to face Clemson (7-0) in a midweek game on Tuesday, Feb. 25, starting at 4 p.m.
 
Also nominated for player of the week: Jake Lyle (ETSU), Angelo DiSpigna (Mercer), Sonny DiChiara (Samford), Daniel Walsh (Western Carolina) and Lawson Hill (Wofford).
 
Also nominated for pitcher of the week: Shane Connolly (The Citadel), John Michael Bertrand (Furman), Hunter Phillips (Mercer), Jake Lewis (UNCG), Samuel Strickland (Samford), Trey Morgan (VMI), Zebby Matthews (Western Carolina) and Jake Hershman (Wofford).
 
2020 SoCon Players of the Week
Feb. 17             Brooks Carlson, Samford
Feb. 24             Will Knight, VMI
 
2020 SoCon Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 17             Landon Knack, ETSU
Feb. 24             Landon Knack, ETSU