DENVER – New Mexico State designated hitter Cody Edwards and Louisiana Tech pitcher Phil Maton have been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Baseball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for Feb. 20-26.
Edwards, a junior from Yakima, Wash. (West Valley HS), hit .467 (7-of-15) playing in six games this past week. Edwards’ best outing came in the second game of a doubleheader on Feb. 25 against Sacred Heart as he hit for the cycle, becoming only the second player in school history to achieve the feat. Edwards started with a double in the first inning, then posted a single to centerfield in the third inning, tallied a three-run triple that the third and completed the cycle with a grand-slam in the bottom of the sixth inning. Edwards had 11 RBI in the 23-11 victory over the Pioneers, which was just one short of the NM State record. Edwards also went 1-for-3 with an RBI against No. 4 Rice as the Aggies fell 7-5 on Feb. 21. Overall on the week, Edwards played in six games with six runs, seven hits, 14 RBI, one double, one triple, two home runs, one walk and a stolen base.
Maton, a freshman from Chatham, Ill. (Glenwood HS), recorded the first win of his collegiate career on Wednesday after pitching four scoreless innings in relief. Maton also pitched four innings of relief on Saturday, striking out five, allowing only three base runners. Maton held opposing hitters to a .115 batting average on the week. Overall on the week, Maton made two appearances, pitched 8.0 innings, struck out nine, and allowed only three hits without giving up a run.
The other hitter of the week nominations: Fresno State freshman outfielder Jordan Luplow … Hawai‘i senior centerfielder Breland Almadova … Louisiana Tech senior first baseman Alex Williams … Nevada junior first baseman Brett Jones … Sacramento State junior utility Andrew Ayers.
The other pitcher of the week nominations: Fresno State sophomore Tyler Linehan … Hawai‘i freshman Scott Squier … Nevada sophomore Bradey Shipley … New Mexico State junior Ryan Beck … Sacramento State sophomore Tanner Mendonca.