DENVER Nevada catcher Brett Hayes and Rice right-handed pitcher Jeff Niemann have been named the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for February 24-March 2.
Hayes, a freshman from Calabasas, Calif. (Notre Dame HS), hit .500 (7-14) and drove in nine runs in three games against UNLV last week. Nevada was 2-1 in those games, winning its first series of the year. Hayes had multiple hits in all three games and hit a two-run homer in the first inning of Saturdays contest. On Sunday, he was 3-for-5 with five RBI, and all three hits came with two outs and produced runs.
It is Hayes first ever WAC Player of the Week award.
Niemann, a sophomore from Houston, Texas (Lamar HS), pitched seven innings of an 8-3 win over Southwest Texas State last Friday and struck out a career-high 10 batters. Niemann allowed one run, four hits and one walk in the game.
It is Niemanns second straight WAC Pitcher of the Week award.
Other player of the week nominations included: freshman third baseman Rocky Russo, Hawaii; senior first baseman Kyle Humphreys, Louisiana Tech; and junior outfielder/designated hitter Chris Kolkhorst, Rice.
Additional pitcher of the week nominations included: senior Justin Cayetano, Hawaii; senior Jon Lockwood, Louisiana Tech; and senior Eddie Bonine, Nevada.
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