Belton named Southland Pitcher of the Week
4/25/2016 2:58:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – One month ago Sunday, the Sam Houston State baseball team found its new closer in Greg Belton. Since that time, the right-handed senior has raked in the saves and bolstered the bullpen. This week, he did that – and more.
On Monday, Belton was named Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week, an award typically handed to dominant starting pitchers, but the Montgomery native could not be passed up.
The Conroe High School product earned two wins and as many saves, helping the Bearkats move to 4-0 last week. In eight innings, Belton struck out 13 hitters without permitting a run on just three hits while holding Baylor and Abilene Christian to a .115 average.
“He's got ice water in his veins,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “He recorded two wins and two saves this week. Since he's gone to the very back of the bullpen, we've been on a role. He's solidified things back there and has the right personality for the job. He was gigantic again on Sunday.”
On Tuesday at Baylor, Belton (3-1, 3.86 ERA) entered in the eighth inning, tossing the final 1 1-3 innings, fanning three Bears hitters without allowing a hit. After Clayton Harp provided the go-ahead two-run single in the ninth, he shut down the home squad in the bottom half.
As an encore, he notched saves in the opening two games of the Abilene Christian series, tossing 1 1-3 innings and one frame respectively while combing to fan five. However, the most impressive feat came in the finale, tossing the last 4 1-3 innings, permitting just two hits and striking out four.
“If I already closed on Friday and Saturday, my goal coming out of the pen on Sunday is to get it done no matter it takes or no matter how much energy it takes” Belton said. “I've never had a week like that one in my life.”
Sam Houston has won six straight games and coupled with the Southeastern Louisiana loss on Sunday, has inched closer to first place in the standings. The Bearkats own a .810 winning percentage to the Lions' .833.
The Bearkats return to action on Tuesday, visiting Houston for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. Sam Houston returns back to Don Sanders Stadium on Wednesday, hosting Texas Southern for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
