BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After reaching base safely 16-of-21 times during Kentucky’s 4-1 week, Wildcat junior centerfielder Collin Cowgill has been named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
Cowgill had a monster week while leading UK to a series win over No. 24 Florida, as well as two-mid week rivalry wins over Cincinnati and Morehead State. In 21 appearances at the plate during the week, Cowgill reached base safely in 16 of them. Cowgill hit for a .600 (9-for-15) average during the week, scoring a team high 11 times, ripping a double, three homers and six RBI. Drew four walks and got hit by two pitches, slugged for a 1.267 percentage, swiping one base, contributing three sacrifice bunts and a sac fly during the week. Also added an outfield assist ? his fifth of the year – while playing flawless centerfield, including a leaping, extra base and run-saving snag in Sunday?s win UF, an amazing catch that sent him colliding into the wall in left-centerfield.
During UK?s series win over Florida, Cowgill was retired twice in 14 appearances at the plate and added his 15th home run in the first inning of Sunday?s win. At the time of the homer, Cowgill had reached base in 11 consecutive appearances at the plate to open the series. In a game one win over UF, Cowgill went 2-for-2 with three runs, a walk and a hit by pitch. In game two, Cowgill again reached safely in every appearance, scoring three runs, adding a double, two walks, a hit by pitch, as well as reaching on an error. During Sunday?s series-clinching win, Cowgill went 2-for-4 with a home run in the first inning and a single, adding a game-winning, rally sparking sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the 10th inning.
Cowgill also sparked UK to two more mid-week wins, going 2-for-3 with two runs, four RBI and a home run during a win at the second-place team in the Big East, Cincinnati. Cowgill added a sacrifice fly and a sac bunt in the win at Cincinnati. In a come-from-behind win over Morehead State, Cowgill batted 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, getting a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, breaking a 4-4 tie and sparking a two-run rally that won a narrow 6-5 game.
On the year, Cowgill ranks third in the league in batting average (.399), second in runs scored (57), third in slugging percentage (.818), third in on-base percentage (.524), 10th in hits (57), second in home runs (15), fourth in RBI (45), and fifth in stolen bases (16).
The SEC Player of the Week is the second honor of the year for the UK team, as fellow outfielder, senior Sawyer Carroll claimed the accolade after homering in four consecutive games early in the year. Two weeks ago, Cowgill was named the National Player of the Week by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
No. 17 Kentucky returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to Louisville for a 6 p.m. ET matchup with the Cardinals.
