Bethune-Cookman’s Samuel Rodriguez earned MEAC Player of the Week honors in baseball, the league announced on Monday. Teammate Ali Simpson was named the Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week, while Maryland Eastern Shore’s Ben Vasko earned Rookie of the Week accolades.

Rodriguez (RHP, 6-2, So., San Juan, Puerto Rico) struck out a career-high 13 batters in nine innings of play to earn the win over North Florida. He posted a 0.00 ERA and allowed just two hits and one run in 32 at bats.

Simpson (LHP, 6-3, Fr., Campbell River, British Columbia) led the Wildcats to a 5-2 victory to clinch the series against #15 Miami last weekend. Simpson pitched 8.1 innings and recorded a 1.08 ERA. He retired five of the 30 batters faced and allowed four hits and two runs for his eighth win of the season.

Vasko (C, 6-3, Fr., San Diego, California) hit .778 (7-of-9) with one double and five RBI to lead the Hawks to a 3-1 mark last week. He recorded 10 putouts and six assists from behind the plate.

Other Top Performers:

Brandon Hairston (NSU) batted .833 (10-of-12) with one triple, two doubles and five RBI to guide the Spartans to the series win over Hofstra.

Patrick Hall (NSU) hit .500 from the plate and recorded one double and four RBI in two games against Hofstra.  

Phil Vaughn (UMES) hit .750 with one double and four RBI to aid the Hawks to a 3-1 mark last week.

Matt Witte (UMES) struck out five batters in six innings of play in a win over North Carolina A&T.