SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Citadel outfielder Cole Simpson and VMI right-hander Tyler Bradt have been named the Southern Conference player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for all games from Feb. 21-27. The selections, which are the second of the 2022 campaign, are made by the league office.
 
Simpson played in four games last week, driving in 11 total runs in The Citadel’s game against Charleston Southern and the Bulldogs' series against Villanova. He started the week by going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and seven RBIs in The Citadel’s 16-3 victory over the Buccaneers on Tuesday, Feb. 22, before driving in three runs in the Bulldogs' 13-10 comeback victory over Villanova on Sunday, Feb. 27. The senior’s RBI single in the eighth inning against Villanova on Sunday tied the game 8-8, while his seven RBIs in the victory over Charleston Southern are the sixth-most in a game in The Citadel history and tied for the most in a game in the NCAA this season. 
 
The Citadel (6-1) plays its first midweek home game this week, welcoming Charleston Southern to Riley Park on March 1 for a 4 p.m. game against the Buccaneers before hosting a three-game series in Charleston, South Carolina, this weekend against Northern Kentucky. 
 
Bradt threw seven innings in VMI’s 8-1 win over Lafayette on Friday, striking out six Leopards and allowing just four hits, no earned runs, and two walks to conclude the day with a 0.00 ERA and secure his second win of the season. The redshirt sophomore from Henrico, Virginia, picks up his second SoCon Player of the Week honor this season.
 
VMI (4-3) travels to Harrisonburg, Virginia, for a 3 p.m. game against James Madison on Tuesday, March 1, before hosting a three-game series in Lexington, Virginia, this weekend against Binghamton.
 
Also nominated for player of the week: Leo Jiminian (ETSU), Collin Price (Mercer), Zac Morris (VMI), Drew Needham (Western Carolina) and Zeb Roos (Wofford).
 
Also nominated for pitcher of the week: Devin Beckley (The Citadel), Colby Stuart (ETSU), Josh Harlow (Mercer), Brody Westbrooks (Samford) and Zach Franklin (Western Carolina).
 
2022 SoCon Players of the Week
Feb. 21             Hogan Windish, Jr., INF, UNCG
Feb. 28             Cole Simpson, Sr., OF, The Citadel
 
2022 SoCon Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 21             Tyler Bradt, R-So., VMI
Feb. 28             Tyler Bradt, R-So., VMI