Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Joshua Thurston
Danny Collins Named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week & Sun Belt Hitter of the Week
2/18/2013 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
TUCSON, Ariz. – Troy junior Danny Collins has been named one of the Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week and the Sun Belt Conference Hitter of the Week, Collegiate Baseball and the Sun Belt announced Monday afternoon. Collins' selection marks the third straight year that a Troy player has been named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week.
Collins had a monster week at the plate for the Trojans as he went 8-for-14 (.571) with two doubles, two triples, a home run, nine runs scored and nine RBIs. The Niceville, Fla., native hit Troy's first cycle since 2009 after going 5-for-6 in game two of the series as the Trojans swept a four-game set from Florida A&M.
“This is an awesome accolade to receive, but what I really want to win is a championship,” Collins said. “It is a great start to the season. I've been working a lot with Coach (Bobby) Pierce and Coach (Mark) Smartt on focusing on hitability more than just power and that really paid off last weekend.”
Collins finished the four-game series with 17 total bases, a 1.214 slugging percentage, a .667 on-base percentage and a 1.881 OPS. He did not strikeout over 18 plate appearances and was perfect on his lone stolen base attempt.
Junior Tyler Vaughn was named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week last season and senior Logan Pierce earned the award during the 2011 season meaning the Trojan lineup features three active players who have won the national honor.
“That just shows the kind of coaches we have and the preparation we put in to the season,” Collins said. “We have a lot of leadership and experience on this team and hopefully it will pay dividends as the season goes on.”
The Trojans return to action this weekend with three games in Orlando, Fla., in the Wawa Weekend Classic hosted by Central Florida. Troy will play Texas Tech on Friday at 11 a.m., Connecticut on Saturday at 12 p.m. and Central Florida on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Collins had a monster week at the plate for the Trojans as he went 8-for-14 (.571) with two doubles, two triples, a home run, nine runs scored and nine RBIs. The Niceville, Fla., native hit Troy's first cycle since 2009 after going 5-for-6 in game two of the series as the Trojans swept a four-game set from Florida A&M.
“This is an awesome accolade to receive, but what I really want to win is a championship,” Collins said. “It is a great start to the season. I've been working a lot with Coach (Bobby) Pierce and Coach (Mark) Smartt on focusing on hitability more than just power and that really paid off last weekend.”
Collins finished the four-game series with 17 total bases, a 1.214 slugging percentage, a .667 on-base percentage and a 1.881 OPS. He did not strikeout over 18 plate appearances and was perfect on his lone stolen base attempt.
Junior Tyler Vaughn was named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week last season and senior Logan Pierce earned the award during the 2011 season meaning the Trojan lineup features three active players who have won the national honor.
“That just shows the kind of coaches we have and the preparation we put in to the season,” Collins said. “We have a lot of leadership and experience on this team and hopefully it will pay dividends as the season goes on.”
The Trojans return to action this weekend with three games in Orlando, Fla., in the Wawa Weekend Classic hosted by Central Florida. Troy will play Texas Tech on Friday at 11 a.m., Connecticut on Saturday at 12 p.m. and Central Florida on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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