LEXINGTON, Ky. — After belting four home runs to lead the No. 9 Kentucky baseball team to a 3-1 week ? highlighted by a gritty series win over Mississippi State ? the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper tabbed Wildcat centerfielder Collin Cowgill as its National Player of the Week, the publication announced on Monday morning.
Cowgill put up monster numbers during the week, batting .696 (9-for-13) with nine runs, four homers, seven RBI, six walks to just one strikeout, one hit by pitch and a stolen base. Cowgill was only retired four times in 20 plate appearances during the week.
Riding a nine-game hit streak, Cowgill has terrorized opponent pitching, batting .500 (17-for-34) during the hit streak, with 15 runs, a double, six homers, 12 RBI, eight walks, three hit by pitches and an outfield assist. During UK?s series win over MSU, Cowgill led the Wildcats with a .667 (6-for-9) average, hitting two homers, adding five RBI, a hit by pitch, a stolen base and six walks.
In a Wednesday night win over a dangerous Western Kentucky team, Cowgill launched two homers ? his second two homer game of the year ? going 3-for-4, with three runs and two RBI. In game one vs. MSU, the Bulldogs could not retire Cowgill, as the junior homered again, went 2-for-2 at the dish, with three walks, two runs and a steal. In the nightcap of the Saturday doubleheader with MSU, Cowgill hit a homer in his third straight game, going 3-for-6 with four RBI. Again in UK?s rubber-match win over the Bulldogs, Cowgill was not retired, reaching in five attempts, going 1-for-1 with three walks, a hit by pitch and three runs scored, including a two-out game-winning rally sparking walk to keep the inning alive.
On the season, Cowgill is batting .407, with 10 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 24 walks and 14 steals.
Earlier this season, senior right fielder Sawyer Carroll was named National Player of the Week and Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, after blasting homers in four consecutive games.
Kentucky returns to action on Tuesday, hosting in-state rival Louisville at Cliff Hagan Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
