SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer infielder Garett Delano and Western Carolina right-handed pitcher Zach Franklin have been named the Southern Conference player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for all games from April 26 through May 2. The selections are made by the league office.
 
Delano became the first SoCon player this season to earn both player and pitcher of the week honors after hitting .588 with four doubles, one home run and six RBIs in Mercer’s four games last week. He went 10-for-17 at the plate to lead the Bears offense. The graduate student from Callahan, Florida, opened the week a home run and two doubles against Kennesaw State in Mercer’s 12-10 win over the Owls. In the three-game series against ETSU, he had four RBIs and he has hit safely in seven of his last eight games. For the week, he had an on-base percentage of .650 with 10 hits and picked up the win in Friday’s win over ETSU. 
 
Franklin earned his first pitcher of the week honor after making his first start of the season on the mound in Saturday’s 7-1 win over UNCG. He earned the win in his first start since 2019 and limited the Spartans to a single run over six innings. The redshirt sophomore struck out seven without issuing a walk and improved to 5-3 overall on the season. 
 
Mercer (26-17, 12-6 SoCon) and Western Carolina (22-14, 10-6) will meet in Cullowhee, North Carolina, for their three-game conference series. The doubleheader opening pitch is scheduled for Friday, May 7, at 3 p.m. and a single game is set for Saturday, May 8, at 3 p.m.