Doubling Up: Bell, Van Cleave Earn SEC Weekly Honors

Kentucky’s impressive series victory over No. 24 Tennessee did more than improve its postseason standing, it also led to both Tyler Bell and Braxton Van Cleave earning weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference on Monday.

Bell was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week and Van Cleave the league’s Freshman of the Week for their standout weekends against the Volunteers. Both players led the charge for an offense that scored 30 runs in three games and continually put pressure on the Vols’ typically strong pitching staff.

Bell, a sophomore from the Chicago area, led the team with a .538 batting average and 1.831 OPS with a team-best 16 total bases. He led the team outright with three doubles and six runs, while also tying for team highs in hits (seven) and home runs (two). He also homered from both sides of the plate on the weekend.

Van Cleave, an outfielder from Arlington, Texas, showed of his prodigious raw power but also his growing hitting ability. He went 7-for-14 and had multiple hits in all three games, including a career-high three on Sunday. He also added a monstrous 429-foot home run off the videoboard.

IF Tyler Bell, Co-Player of the Week

• Led team with a .538 average for the week.
• Had a 1.231 slugging percentage and 1.831 OPS with team-high 16 total bases.
• Had team high 3 doubles, six runs, seven hits and two home runs.
• Homered from the right side of the plate Saturday and left side on Sunday.
• Had Led UK to series win over #24 Tennessee.
• In addition to 7 hits had a BB, HBP and was 1-1 SB.

OF Braxton Van Cleave, Freshman of the Week

• Batted .500 with a 1.000 Slug percentage and 1.500 OPS for the week.
• Led team in RBI; tied for lead in hits and home runs.
• Had seven hits in three games.
• Homered in two of three games.
• Set a new career high with three hits Sunday.
• He had multiple hits in all three games in the series.
• He came into the series with one in his career.
• Nine of his 16 career hits have gone for extra bases.