Monday, March 08, 2010

MACON, Ga. - UNF’s Preston Hale earned Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors after leading the Ospreys to a 5-1 week, while Jacksonville’s Clay Kollenbaum earned the pitching honor with two solid relief performances.

Hale helped the team to a 5-1 record on the week, leading the team in batting average (.593), slugging percentage (1.000), on-base percentage (.600), hits (16), runs (11), doubles (4), triples (2) and RBIs (10). The senior outfielder hit safely in all six games on the week, recording five multiple hit games, including a game with four hits and three games with three hits. Hale, a Lakeland, Fla. native had three multi-RBI games, driving in four runs on the road at UCF and three runs in JU’s come from behind victory versus Wagner. The criminal justice major had 27 official at bats and 30 plate appearances with just one strikeout

Kollenbaum stepped up his play this season to help sublet a Dolphin pitching staff that is trying to get healthy. In two appearances last week, the Dunedin, Fla. native scattered four hits, struck out eight batters and did not allow a run in five innings of relief. Kollenbaum was also credited with his first career save after hurling three shout out innings against Wagner. The physical education major has not allowed an earned run in his last 6.2 innings of work and leads the squad with 14 strikeouts.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers
Bo Burton, ETS (Jr. - RHP - Kingsport, Tenn. - Education) – Burton picked up his third save of the season as he threw a scoreless ninth against No. 30 St. John's to give the Buccaneers a series win against the Red Storm. After hitting the first batter, the junior education major went on to strike out the next batter and then got a routine double play ball to end the game. Burton also held the very explosive Red Storm ball club in check the night before helping the Bucs to an 11-7 win. On the week, the Kingsport, Tenn. major went 2.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits with a strikeout.

Robbie Collier, UNF (Jr. - 3B - Jacksonville, Fla. - Transportation and Logistics) – Collier picked up a pair of wins on the week, both in relief, while he tossed 7.1 innings total with a 3.68 ERA. The junior scattered eight hits with just three runs. Collier struck out seven batters, including a career-high five strikeouts against Georgia Southern.

Paul Hoilman, ETSU (Jr. - 1B - Johnson City, Tenn. - Math) – Hoilman led ETSU to a series win versus No. 30 St. John's at home this past weekend as the junior hit .400 (4-for-10) on the weekend with two home runs. The Johnson City, Tenn. native also scored five runs, had five walks, drove in four and slugged 1.000 on the week. Hoilman set the tone in the Saturday game with a three-run shot in the first inning giving the Bucs an early lead against the Red Storm. The math major did it again in the final game of the series as he hit a towering solo home run in the first inning as the Bucs went on to defeat St. John's, 8-6.

Ellis Lowe, Campbell (Jr. - 2B - San Diego, Calif. - Sports Management) – Lowe went 7-for-16 with three RBI and three runs scored in two wins. The San Diego, Calif. native went 4-for-6 with three RBIs in a 16-1 blowout of the Tigers. Campbell went 2-for-3 against Savannah State this weekend, picking up game one and game three wins by a combined 19 run advantage.

Tyler Wilson, Lipscomb (Sr. - OF - Wheeler, Miss. - Marketing) – Wilson stole three bases in four games as Lipscomb finished with a 3-1 win against UT-Martin and a 2-1 record against Canisius. The Wheeler, Miss. Native had hits in all four games, including his first home run of the season in the 6-5 win against Canisius, March 7. Wheeler also had two stolen bases in 7-1 win versus Canisius, March 5.