March 31, 2008

By Tyler Koonce, Baseball Contact

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Redshirt junior first basemen Matt Wagner (Wahoo, Neb./Nebraska) was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week Monday. Over three contests last week, Wagner batted .625 with two home runs, one double and eight RBIs. He finished with 12 total bases and a 1.500 slugging percentage. He also drew two walks and was hit by a pitch to drive in a run.

In Tuesday's 6-2 win against in-state rival Missouri State, Wagner was 2-3 with a solo home run. On Wednesday, he hit a clutch 3-run double to put the Redhawks ahead 7-6 in the bottom of the 7th inning. In a 5-inning, rain-shortened contest Saturday, Wagner added two hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run.

Overall, Wagner is second on the team with a .357 batting average and is tied for the OVC lead with six home runs along with teammate Tyrell Cummings (Muskogee, Okla./Seminole State JC). He has 19 RBIs and carries a current 10-game hitting streak.

Wagner's accolade marks the third consecutive week a Southeast player has earned a weekly honor. Pitchers James Leigh (Bryant, Ark./Texarkana CC) and Dustin Renfrow (West Plains, Mo./Jefferson CC) both shared the Pitcher of the Week honor in each of the last two weeks.