LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The Gents baseball team continued its weekly success in the Southern Collegiate Baseball Players of the Week selections as juniors Kaleb Kirk and Chris Zapata were named Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively.
Centenary also moved up to #16 in the latest NCAA Division III Poll released by Perfect Game.
"Kaleb did a really nice job this weekend, setting the tone from pitch one," explained head coach Mike Diaz. "Chris has been putting a lot of extra work offensively the past few weeks, and I think it really showed this weekend."
Zapata came up big in a pair of Centenary run-ruled wins over Northland College, helping the Gents take the first game 19-2 and the second game 12-2. Zapata went 4-for-5 with seven RBI's, three runs scored, and a walk for a 1.375 slugging percentage in the twinbill.
Despite the rain-soaked contests, Zapata had a home run in both games. He blasted a two-run home run down the left field line in game one to put the Gents up 3-0 and jumpstart a 17-run inning, believed to be the biggest scoring inning in team history. In game two against the Lumberjacks, he smashed a blast that went out over the high wall in center at Shehee Stadium.
Zapata now leads the SCAC in home runs (four) and RBI's (26) in 2017.
Kirk threw five shutout innings in game one against the Lumberjacks to improve to 3-1 on the season. He surrendered only two hits despite the very long layoff in the 17-run inning. He added five strikeouts and one walk.
For the season, Kirk leads the conference in ERA (1.30) and sits second to sophomore teammate Matthew Devillier (4-0) in wins. He also leads the team and is second in the conference with 29 strikeouts.
Centenary opens up conference play this weekend for a three-game set at Austin College. First pitch on Friday, March 10, is set for 7 p.m. The Gents and 'Roos will play a doubleheader Saturday, March 11, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
