NORFOLK, Va., March 21, 2022—Coppin State redshirt junior infielder Brian Nicolas and Norfolk State sophomore infielder Raphy Rodriguez were selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Co-Players of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference office announced today. Coppin State pitcher Justin Johnson was also named Rookie of the Week, while Norfolk State sophomore Dalton Barham earned Pitcher of the Week honors.
Nicolas (5-8, r-Jr., INF, Langhorne, Pa.) was 7-for-16 (.438) at the plate in five games this past week, driving in seven runs and scoring four times. Three of his seven hits were for extra bases, including a pair of home runs in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader against Delaware State. Nicolas had three multi-hit games for the week, including a 3-for-4 effort with four RBIs in Saturday’s game one.
Rodriguez (5-10, So., INF, Chester, Va.) racked up four multi-hit games in five outings for the Spartans, going a combined 9-for-19 (.474) at the plate with five RBIs and five runs scored. His best game of the week came on Sunday against Maryland Eastern Shore, where he was 3-for-4 at the plate with a grand slam and two runs scored. He also had a stolen base in that contest.
Johnson (6-1, Fr., P, Easton, Pa.) notched his first career save on Friday against Delaware State, tossing three scoreless innings. He gave up just two hits and one walk in that span while striking out five.
Barham (6-4, So., P, Norfolk, Va.) tossed seven strong innings on Sunday to pick up his first win of the season against Maryland Eastern Shore. Tying the longest start of his career, Barham scattered five hits and allowed just two runs, while striking out a season-high six batters.
Other Top Performers
Jordan Hamberg (Coppin State) struck out four and allowed just two runs in six innings against Delaware State.
Alan Alonso (Delaware State) drove in five runs and hit four doubles in a four-game set against Coppin State.
Alec Rodriguez (Delaware State) had a pair of two-RBI games against Coppin State, going 2-for-3 in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Brantley Cutler (Maryland Eastern Shore) hit his second career home run and drove in three runs in three starts against Norfolk State.
Luke Myers (Maryland Eastern Shore) hit .375 in three games against Norfolk State, walking twice and scoring three runs.
Evan Nibblett (Maryland Eastern Shore) went eight innings, striking out four and giving up just two runs against Norfolk State.
Steven Shaffer (Norfolk State) hit safely in four of the Spartans’ five games, including a 2-for-4 effort with a double and a triple against Maryland Eastern Shore.