Donica, Kats earn Southland, national praise
2/21/2017 5:16:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State's Heath Donica has been named Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week following a record-setting performance on Opening Day, the league office announced Tuesday.
Donica struck out 14 Nevada hitters, the most since Sam Houston transitioned to Division I in 1987 and the second-most in program history. The right-hander did so while tossing a complete-game, one-hitter against an offense that ranked near the top of the country statistically a season ago.
The award was just the latest in national acclaim for the senior and the Bearkats program. Donica was also tabbed as a Collegiate Baseball newspaper national player of the week.
On Monday, the Bearkats vaulted five spots up the polls to No. 18 nationally, coming on the hinges of taking 2-of-3 against the Wolf Pack on opening weekend. The ranking is the highest since Sam Houston climbed to No. 16 on March 17, 2014.
Donica's strong start to the season is nothing new since transferring from Navarro Junior College. Last year, the righty struck out 96 hitters, a mark that ranks fourth in program lore. He also set a new Sam Houston single-season record with 113 innings.
Sam Houston returns to action on Wednesday, hosting No. 16 Texas, presented by Gateway Apartments, for the first time in program history. The game will be the first at Don Sanders Stadium between ranked opponents since No. 20 Sam Houston faced No. 17 Rice on March 5, 2014.
Tickets are still available by calling the Sam Houston ticket office at (936) 294-1729 or by visiting GoBearkats.com. General admission seats are priced at $10 while students receive free admission with a valid Bearkat OneCard. The first 300 students receive a free Bearkat baseball shirt.
Quotables:
Head coach Matt Deggs on Donica's outing…
“It all starts with the guy on the bump. Heath Donica went out and did what we know he can do every time on the mound. He is a warrior and great competitor. I told him during the week that I'd see him after the game and that's what happened. He threw a heck of a game.”
Starter Heath Donica on his 14-strikeout performance…
“I thought we had a good week of preparation. Coach (Jay) Sirianni had a great game plan going in and developing a scouting report. I had an idea of what I wanted to do. I was able to execute a few pitches.”
