Slippery Rock University junior catcher Tyler Walters (Saegertown, Pa./Saegertown) was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II National Hitter of the Week, the organization announced Thursday evening.
Walters, who was already tabbed the Atlantic Region Hitter of the Week and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Athlete of the Week, earned the national honor after an exceptional doubleheader against Pitt-Johnstown April 1.
In two games against the Mountain Cats, both of which were Rock victories, Walters hit .889 (8-for-9) with seven runs scored, 11 RBIs, two home runs and a .900 on-base percentage. In addition to his two home runs, Walters also recorded four doubles, giving him six extra-base hits in nine at-bats.
Walters, an American Baseball Coaches Association preseason All-American, is hitting .343 with 23 runs, five home runs, 29 RBIs and four stolen bases through 21 games this season. He leads The Rock in slugging percentage (.699), doubles (nine), walks (13) runs (23), RBI (29) and home runs (5).
As he nears the midpoint of his third season at The Rock, Walters’ name can already be found in the top 10 of several SRU career records lists. He is second in program history in home runs (30), second in slugging percentage (.737), fourth in batting average (.392), seventh in doubles (41) and 10th in on-base percentage (.455). Additionally, his 110 RBIs are the 11th most in Rock history.
North Georgia’s Steven Bower was named the Division II National Pitcher of the Week.
Slippery Rock, which was slotted ninth in the most recent NCBWA Atlantic Region rankings, has won 11 of its last 12 games to improve its record to 15-6 on the season overall and 7-1 in PSAC West contests.
SRU will face its toughest competition of the season this weekend when it plays No. 4 Mercyhurst in a four-game series. The Rock and Lakers will play a doubleheader at Mercyhurst Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. first pitch before returning home to Jack Critchfield Park for a pair of games Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.