February 12, 2009
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University baseball players Michael Brzezinski and Courtney Behrend named Heartland Conference Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for their play against Oklahoma Panhandle State University and Tarleton State University, it was announced by the league office on Thursday.
Brzezinski (Sr., Helotes), a the three-time All-Heartland Conference selection, picked up right where he left off last season, helping to lead St. Mary’s to a 5-0 record last week. Brzezinski hit .500 with three triples, seven RBI, nine runs scored, eight walks and three stolen bases. He had hits in four of the five games last week and reached base in all five games. He had multiple hits in three games and multiple RBIs in two. Against Oklahoma Panhandle State in the series opener he went 2-for-2 with three walks, three RBI and three runs scored. In the series finale he went 3-of-5 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored. In addition to his .500 batting average, he had a .667 on-base percentage and .875 slugging percentage.
Behrend (Jr., Comfort) had a strong first week as a Rattler, helping St. Mary’s to a perfect start. He pitched in three games, allowing just one hit and two walks, while striking out 12 in six innings of work out of the bullpen. In his first appearance as a Rattler against Tarleton State, he tossed four scoreless and hitless innings to pick up the save in the Rattlers 5-3 win. He struck out eight in the four innings. He then tossed a scoreless inning against Oklahoma Panhandle State twice over the weekend.
The 13th-ranked Rattlers (6-0 overall, 4-0 Heartland Conference) will hit the road to play a four-game Heartland Conference series at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin on Friday and Saturday in Odessa. Start time for both days is noon.