KENNESAW, Ga. – Sophomore Austin Upshaw, who was announced Atlantic Sun Co-Player of the Week Monday (Feb. 22) afternoon, earned national recognition as he was honored Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week, announced by Collegiate Baseball.

"It's a special award and to see Upshaw get recognized for his outstanding performance over the weekend is great to see," head coach Mike Sansing said. "With so many great players across the country and tough competition at this level, it was great to see Upshaw's name among them."

Upshaw, who made his KSU debut over the Atlanta Classic, earned ASUN Co-Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career after hitting a home run in all three of Kennesaw State's games. The sophomore infielder tallied seven hits over the weekend to lead the Owls with a .583 average and 16 total bases. His 1.333 slugging percentage is tops in the A-Sun after three games. He helped the Owls to a 2-1 record after suffering an opening night loss. 

Over his Owl debut on Friday night, the first baseman batted .600, going 3-for-5 with a home run in his first game under Sansing. Then, Upshaw turned around and went 1-for-4 with another home run in a 5-2 KSU victory, before turning in a 3-for-3 performance at the dish with yet another home run to complete the weekend.
 
The Owls (2-1) will enter the week with a midweek clash against SEC foe Auburn on Tuesday (Feb. 23) afternoon at Plainsman Park before returning home to take on Jacksonville State for a three-game series at Stillwell Stadium.

National Players Of The Week
• RHP Robert Tyler, Georgia: Tyler struck out a career-high 13 batters against Georgia Southern over five innings. Every out except two over those five innings were via a strikeout as 12 were swinging.
 
• OF Jeren Kendall, Vanderbilt: Kendall was on fire during a 3-game series against San Diego as he went 10-for-15 at the plate with 3 homers, 10 RBI, 7 runs scored and 5 stolen bases.
 
• 1B Ricardo Ramirez, Illinois-Chicago: Ramirez blasted 4 home runs and drove in 14 runs while going 8-for-17 over four games against Texas Southern. He had a 1.294 slugging percentage in the series.
 
• SS Milton Rivera, North Carolina A&T: Rivera hit 4 home runs in 4 straight at-bats during a 3-game series against Navy. For the series, he went 5-for-12 with 4 home runs, 6 RBI and posted a 1.417 slugging percentage.
 
• RF Jacob Bosiokovic, Ohio St.: Bosiokovic hit 3 home runs with 8 RBI and 7 runs scored as he went 7-for-17 in four games.  
 
• LHP Kyle Cedotal, Southeastern Louisiana: Cedotal tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts as he fired a 9-inning complete game shutout in a 2-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe as he surrendered two hits. At one point, he retired 25 of 26 batters.
 
• LHP Tarik Skubal, Seattle: Skubal set a new Seattle single-game record for strikeouts during a 4-1 win over Saint Mary's as he fanned 13 batters over seven innings.
 
• C Jack Kruger, Mississippi St.: Kruger went 9-for-16 over four games as he delivered 5 doubles, 9 RBI and scored 8 runs.   
 
• 3B Taylor Braley, Southern Mississippi: Braley belted 3 home runs with 6 RBI and 5 walks as he was 4-for-9 at the plate in three games. He hit a home run in each game which tied his season total of a year ago.
 
• 1B Austin Upshaw, Kennesaw St.: Upshaw was 7-for-12 with 3 home runs over three games and 16 total bases with a slugging percentage of 1.333.
 
• RHP Zac Gallen, North Carolina: Gallen struck out 11 UCLA batters over 7 2/3 innings during a 4-0 win over the Bruins. He didn't allow a run and walked two as he faced 26 batters. He finished one strikeout shy of matching his career high and allowed only one runner past second base.   
 
• LHP Zach Muckenhirn, North Dakota: Muckenhirn held Southern California to just three hits, retiring the last 15 batters in order, during a complete game shutout 1-0 win over the Trojans. He struck out 9 and walked one.   
 
• OF Heath Quinn, Samford: Quinn went 10-for-16 at the plate over four games as he belted 3 homers, 2 doubles, 1 triple and knocked in 9 runs against Butler. In game two, he hit for the cycle as he went 5-for-5.   
 
• LHP JP Sears, The Citadel: Sears struck out a career-high 12 batters over 5 innings against Virginia Tech. He didn't allow a run as he walked one batter.   


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