DENVER – New Mexico State outfielder Bryan Karraker and Fresno State pitcher Justin Haley have been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Baseball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for March 5-11.
Karraker, a senior from Phoenix, Ariz. (Pinnacle HS), hit .450 (9-of-20) as New Mexico State defeated in-state rival New Mexico and split a four-game series with 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Kent State. Karraker posted nine hits, three walks and was hit by a pitch three times for a .577 on-base percentage. He had a stellar performance against the Lobos, going 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI to boost NM State to a 16-12 win. Karraker had a 3-of-6 showing at the plate in a 12-6 win over Kent State with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. He finished the week with a .600 slugging percentage and seven RBI. Karraker picked up a hit in each game last week and has now reached base safely in 11 straight games.
Haley, a junior from Sacramento, Calif. (Sierra College), recorded his first win of the season in his first start of the season. Haley pitched a career-high 7.0 innings and struck out a career-high nine batters without giving up an earned run. Haley allowed only three hits and faced less than four batters per inning pitched.
The other hitter of the week nominations: Fresno State senior outfielder Kenneth Wise … Hawai‘i freshman second baseman Stephen Ventimilia … Nevada junior catcher Carlos Escobar Jr. … San Jose State sophomore infielder/designated hitter Caleb Natov.
The other pitcher of the week nominations: Hawai‘i sophomore Jarrett Arakawa … Louisiana Tech freshman Phil Maton … Nevada junior Tom Jameson … New Mexico State junior Michael Ormseth … San Jose State sophomore Johnny Melero.