SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI shortstop Zac Morris and Samford reliever Carson Hobbs have been named the Southern Conference player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for all competition from Feb. 20-26. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
Morris hit .565 and slugged .826 to lead the Keydets to a 4-1 week, including a four-game sweep of Holy Cross over the weekend. In Tuesday’s 15-8 setback at Old Dominion, the redshirt junior from Suffolk, Virginia, drew a walk and hit a two-run home run. Morris then terrorized the Crusaders for 12 hits in 19 at-bats in the series. He was 7-for-9 with three RBIs and three runs scored in Friday’s doubleheader sweep, including a 5-for-5 showing in the 12-3 game-two win. He was 4-for-5 with a double, a triple and three runs scored in Saturday’s 11-10 win before closing his week with a bunt single and two RBIs in the 11-6 Sunday win.
 
VMI (5-3) visits nationally ranked Virginia on Tuesday before hosting Richmond on Wednesday and Coppin State for a three-game weekend series.
 
Hobbs picked up a pair of saves on the week, throwing five innings of scoreless relief. In Tuesday’s 7-6 win over Jacksonville State, Hobbs struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth inning to lock up the win. The junior right-hander from Alabaster, Alabama, then went four innings in Sunday’s 9-3 win over Southeastern Louisiana, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five. The league’s active career saves leader with 13 to his credit, Hobbs has allowed just three hits and struck out 12 in eight innings of work over three appearances so far this season.
 
Samford (3-4) kicks off a five-game homestand Wednesday when it hosts Alabama State before welcoming Morehead State for a three-game weekend series.
 
Also nominated for player of the week: Cameron Sisneros (ETSU), Eric Toth (Mercer), Zack Budzik (UNCG), Stephen Klein (Samford), Pascanel Ferreras (Western Carolina) and Ryan Galanie (Wofford).
 
Also nominated for pitcher of the week: Cameron Reeves (The Citadel), Colby Stuart (ETSU), Josh Harlow (Mercer), Luke Thomas (UNCG), Matt Schepel (Western Carolina) and Zac Cowan (Wofford).
 
 
2023 SoCon Players of the Week
Feb. 20        Ryan Galanie, Sr., 1B, Wofford
Feb. 27        Zac Morris, R-Jr., SS, VMI
 
2023 SoCon Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 20        Josh Harlow, So., RHP, Mercer
Feb. 27        Carson Hobbs, Jr., RHP, Samford