BASEBALL: Union’s Lewis, Vanderbilt’s Hickman garner TSWA accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Hayden Lewis and Vanderbilt’s Mason Hickman were named the Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games March 19-25.
Lewis batted .500 (7-for-14) with one double, two triples, one home run, five RBIs and four runs scored in four games for the Bulldogs. The Jackson, Tenn., native doubled, drove in three runs and scored once in a mid-week contest at Trevecca University.
The senior outfielder doubled in the first of a doubleheader at Valdosta State and added a single in the second contest versus the Blazers. In the series finale Lewis was 4-for-4 with two triples, a solo homer and three RBIs. He is batting .281 with five doubles, five triples, two home runs, 15 RBIs and 16 runs scored in 27 games this season.
Hickman tossed a two-hit shutout in the series finale against LSU, walking two and striking out nine in seven innings in a 1-0 victory for the Commodores. The Hendersonville, Tenn., native did not allow a hit after the second inning, retiring 16 of the final 18 batters he faced, including 12 straight at one point.
The freshman righthander improved to 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA in six appearances this season, striking out 28 in 26.0 innings of work. He has issued just nine walks and opponents have a .180 batting average against him.
2018 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 20 – Kyle Blackwell, Cumberland University (Player); Dillon Cate, Carson-Newman (Pitcher)
February 27 – Fernando Garcia, Bryan College (Player); Grant Boyd, King University (Pitcher)
March 6 – Sam Mang, Trevecca University (Player); Stephen Chamblee, Bryan College (Pitcher)
March 13 – Sam Mang, Trevecca University (Player); Will Neely, Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 20 – David Scoggins, Bryan College (Player); Sean Hunley, Tennessee (Pitcher)