Huntingdon’s Taylor named USA South Baseball Rookie of the Week
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon freshman Coleson Taylor was recognized as one of the USA South Athletes of the Week on Monday.
Taylor was named Baseball Rookie of the Week for his performance in a three-game series with North Carolina Wesleyan on opening weekend.
The catcher from Phenix City, Ala., finished the weekend with a .500 batting average (4-for-8), .750 slugging percentage and a .692 on-base percentage. He also had four RBIs, two runs, a triple and a stolen base.
The Hawks return to Posey Field this weekend for a three-game series against Maryville. Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. on Friday.
Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.
Players of the Week
Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Mike Major, Methodist - The sophomore guard from Fayetteville, North Carolina averaged 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.0 steals and 2.0 assists per contest in a 2-0 week for the Monarchs versus USA South competition. In a 95-79 win over Greensboro, Major totaled 21 points, six steals, five rebounds and two assists. In a 72-67 victory over Ferrum, Major notched a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds to go along with six steals and two assists. Also Nominated: Trevor West, Averett; Chase England, Piedmont; Jaumonee Byrd, Maryville; Shawn Shaffer, William Peace; Will Griffin, Greensboro.
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Shanita Hampton, Greensboro - The Bolton, North Carolina senior guard averaged 18.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals per contest in a 3-0 week for the Pride versus USA South competition. In a 68-59 win over nationally-ranked Maryville, Hampton totaled 19 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists. In a 65-49 victory at William Peace, Hampton notched a double-double of 13 points and ten rebounds to go along with five assists and two steals. Finally, in a 58-54 win at Meredith, Hampton scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out seven assists and collected one steal. Also Nominated: Samm Chandler, Averett; Mackenzie Puckett, Maryville; Jacole Hairston, Ferrum; Pat Pickens, Huntingdon; Danielle Lee, Meredith; Mary Kate Rushton, Piedmont.
Baseball Player of the Week
Scott Gillespie, Covenant - The senior outfielder from Milton, Georgia went a combined 6-for-8 (.750) with five RBI, one run scored and two stolen bases as the Scots swept a three-game series from Emory & Henry to open the season. Also Nominated: Adam Duncan, Ferrum; Mason Throneberry, Huntingdon; Chris Power, Methodist; Will Skidmore, Piedmont; J.P. Lisk, Greensboro.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Chris Goershel, Piedmont - The Kennesaw, Georgia senior tossed six shutout innings in an 11-0 season opening win over USA South foe Maryville in his only action on the mound so far this season. Goershel allowed just two hits and three walks with six strikeouts en-route to the victory. Also Nominated: Garrett Kriston, Covenant; Kristopher Peeden, Greensboro; Jackson Cruce, Huntingdon; Josh Howard, Methodist.
Rookies of the Week
Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Justin Vallejo, Piedmont - The freshman forward from Daytona Beach, Florida averaged 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest in a 2-0 week for the Lions versus USA South competition. In a 79-77 win over LaGrange, Vallejo contributed ten points, five rebounds, two steals and one block. In an 81-69 victory over Huntingdon, Vallejo scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out one assist. Also Nominated: James Contreras Jr., Averett; Calvin Songster, Maryville.
Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Zarkia Mattox, Ferrum - The Rocky Mount, Virginia freshman guard averaged a double-double of 16.0 points, 11.3 rebounds to go along with 3.0 steals and 2.0 assists in a 2-1 week for the Panthers versus USA South competition. In an 69-59 loss at Averett, Mattox notched a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds to go along with five steals and two assists. In an 81-70 win at Methodist, Mattox tallied her second double-double of the week with 17 points and 13 rebounds to go along with three assists and three steals. Finally, in a 72-43 victory at N.C. Wesleyan, Mattox totaled 15 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. Also Nominated: Samm Chandler, Averett; Rachel Hawn, Maryville; Tiara Howton, Huntingdon.
Baseball Rookie of the Week
Coleson Taylor, Huntingdon - The freshman catcher from Phenix City, Alabama went a combined 4-for-8 (.500) with four RBI, two runs scored, one triple, three walks and one stolen base as the Hawks swept a three-game series from USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan to open the season. In a 13-5, game three win, Taylor was 3-for-4 with three RBI, one run scored and one triple. Also Nominated: Davis Cass, Methodist; Gwynn Thompson, Greensboro.
Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Adam Murray, Greensboro - The Pembroke Pines, Florida freshman earned a no-decision in his first career start which turned out to be a 6-3 victory over USA South foe William Peace in his lone appearance of the season so far. Murray tossed the first five innings, allowing two runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Also Nominated: Jared Gonzalez, Huntingdon; Seth George, Piedmont.