Hunter Gilliam Named Co-SEC, Co-National Player of the Week
Kentucky first baseman Hunter Gilliam has been named the Co-Southeastern Conference Player of the Week and one of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Co-National Players of the Week for his lights-out stretch at the plate.
The redshirt senior pumped five extra-base hits and 11 RBIs over a five-game span that saw him bat .619, collecting 13 hits while leading the Bat Cats to five consecutive wins, extending their winning streak to 10 games.
He had at least three total bases in all five games, three of which saw the Farmville, Va. native earn three knocks. Gilliam capped things off in UK's 21-3 win over Southern Illinois that swept the Salukis, as he drive in five runs on three hits, two of which were doubles.
"We're a bunch of junkyard dogs is what we call it," Gilliam told reporters after Kentucky's win over Murray State last Tuesday. "We got a lot of old guys who have never really won before and that's all we really care about is winning. So, no one really cares about individual stats or anything."
- Gilliam has started 129 consecutive games at the collegiate level.
- He has reached safely in all 16 games this season and owns a 10-game hit streak.
- He has a team-high eight multi-RBI games and seven multi-hit games.
- He had 13 hits for the week.
- On Sunday, he was 3-for-5 with a career-high five RBI, two doubles and a run scored.
- Stats provided via UK Athletics
"They call him Cap...Cap'n Gilliam. He's one of our vocal leaders," UK coach Nick Mingione said. "He's the guy that he can impact the game in a lot of ways."
"I love being here so much," said Gilliam, who transferred to Lexington from Longwood. "It's so cool to play in front of these people and get to do what I do."
Kentucky will look to extend its winning streak on Tuesday, as it hosts the Indiana Hoosiers for one game at Kentucky Proud Park. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. EST.
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