Monday, May 23, 2011

MACON, Ga. – Billy Burns’ speed on the base paths led Mercer to a 3-1 week and the No. 4 seed in the Atlantic Sun Conference Baseball Championship as the junior recorded ten hits; including three extra-base hits. Nate Woods wrapped up the regular season with two wins on the mound coming against in-state rival Tennessee and No. 17 Stetson to clinch the final spot in the conference tournament. They claimed the final Atlantic Sun Baseball Player of the Pitcher of the Week awards, the conference announced on Monday.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Billy Burns, Mercer (OF – Jr. – Marietta, Ga. – Business)
• First A-Sun Player of the Week award of the season
• Hit .667 (10-for-15) with eight runs scored and three RBI as Mercer went 3-1 on the week
• Totaled a 1.067 slugging percentage and a .750 on-base percentage by recording a double, triple and homer
• Leads the A-Sun in runs scored (68) and stolen bases (29)
• Went 2-for-2 with three runs scored to down Georgia State and give Mercer a win against every Division I college baseball program in the state of Georgia

OTHER NOMINEES:
• Ronnie Freeman (C, Kennesaw State) – Had go-ahead solo home run in the Owls’ 10-8 win against Jacksonville on Thursday
• Blake Green (OF, USC Upstate) – Extended his school-record for hits total to 95; finished the regular season as the A-Sun leader in hits

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Nate Woods, Belmont (SP – Sr. – Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Information Systems Management)
• First A-Sun Pitcher of the Week award this season
• Picked up road wins against No. 17 Stetson and SEC foe Tennessee
• Win against the Hatters on Saturday clinched the six seed at the A-Sun Championship
• Hurled seven innings in two appearances with a 1.29 ERA, eight strikeouts and only five hits
• Allowed only one earned run on the week, while holding batters to a .200 average

OTHER NOMINEES:
• Scott DeCecco (SP, USC Upstate) –  Tossed eight complete innings in the finale at Campbell by allowing only one run on seven hits
• Frank Zier (SP, Campbell) –  Pitched a complete game with five punch outs and no walks for his second complete game win this season.

Follow the Atlantic Sun on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.