Harp named Southland Hitter of the Week
4/18/2016 2:38:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – Making just his second career start against Incarnate Word on Friday, Sam Houston State freshman Clayton Harp looked like a major leaguer in a college uniform.
The left fielder became just the third Southland Conference player – and first freshman – to record a 7-for-7 performance at the plate, logged five RBIs and four runs. For his efforts, Harp was named Southland Conference Hitter of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
The El Campo native becomes the third Sam Houston player to receive a weekly honor by the league this season, joining Matt Broadbent (March 1) and Sam Odom (March 1, April 4).
“It's unbelievable,” Harp said. “It's awesome just knowing all the guys that are pros who have been here and all these big names … it's really neat to do it as a freshman. I'm not trying to do too much but when I get my chance, I want to take my shot.”
The accolade follows a 3-2 week for the Bearkats that included a historically productive weekend sweep at Incarnate Word. In the middle game, Sam Houston pounded out a program-record 30 hits, defeating the Cardinals 23-3. On the weekend, the Kats hit .466, scoring 43 runs behind 61 hits.
Meanwhile, Harp's week was not limited to the seven-hit outburst in the middle game against UIW. He finished his week at a .615 tilt, recording an RBI at No. 10 Texas Tech on Wednesday as well as a pair of stolen bases against UIW in the opener.
“Clayton is really deserving of that,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said of the accolade. “He has done a great job. He didn't have a lot of opportunity early but he kept working. His ability has always been there. He just needed an opportunity and he went out and made the most of it.”
Sam Houston has now won 16 of its last 21 games, moving to 21-16 overall and 14-4 in the Southland. The three-game sweep vaulted the team into second in the league standings, just ½ a game behind conference-leader Southeastern Louisiana (26-11, 13-2 SLC).
“It's good to see us take care of business,” Deggs said. “We had a chance to move up and get to that 14th win this weekend. We're going to be leading in wins and the ball is going to be in our court. That's what we wanted and these guys went out and earned it.”
In league games, the Bearkats rank first in batting average (.328), runs (124), hits (202), slugging percentage (.461) and stolen bases (33). Meanwhile, the pitching staff is tied for second in opponent batting average (.232) while defensively, the team is third in fielding percentage (.976).
The Bearkats return to action on Tuesday, visiting Baylor at 6:30 p.m. The game will be the last in the squad's six-game road swing. Sam Houston returns home this weekend to face Abilene Christian. Friday's first pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. with Saturday's middle game at 3 p.m. and Sunday's finale at 1 p.m.
