LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Senior shortstop Bryan Marquez earned Western Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week and was named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week.
Marquez (Bonny Lake, Wash.) earned his first career WAC Hitter of the Week honor and National Player of the Week honor after having spectacular performances from March 9-15. Head coach Rocky Ward knew what kind of defensive player Marquez was going to be this season, but has been somewhat surprised by his offensive power and performance.
“It was a great week for Bryan Marquez,” Ward said. “Not only were his numbers big, but it seems that every hit was clutch.”
He started the week helping the pull-off a 5-4 victory over in-state rival New Mexico at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M. as he got on base with a single right before his teammate brought him across the plate with a home run.
“He was a key factor in every win this week,” Ward said. “I can confidently say that we might not have won a single game this week if it weren’t for Bryan (Marquez).”
Marquez picked up a season-high in at-bats (5), hits (3) and tied a career-high in RBIs (5) as he hit a solo home run and the game tying grand slam to lead NM State to a 10-inning, 11-10 victory over Northern Colorado, March 15. It was his second grand slam of the weekend, while he accounted for eight of the Aggies 11 runs that day with five RBIs, while crossing the plate three times. It third time this season Marquez has hit two bombs in a game, while he leads the conference with 10 on the season.
Down 13-8 in the seventh inning of game one in a double-header, March 14, Marquez came in as a pinch-hitter to hit his first pinch-hit grand-slam of his career and the first of the week. He was the best offensive production for NM State as his team attempted to make a come back on UNCO, March 13 going 2-for-3 at the plate with a homer and three RBIs. Defensively, Marquez tallied 20 assists, five putouts and was in on four double-plays.
A complete list of Louisville National Player of the Week honorees can be found http://www.baseballnews.com/polls/divI/currentpolldivI.htm
Courtesy: Richard Chavez
