May 23, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Monday, May 23, 2005) The Ohio Valley Conference announced that sophomore rightfielder Brent Lawson was named the OVC Player of the Week for his performance last week for the Redhawks. This is the fourth time this season that a Redhawk has been honored with the weekly award.

Lawson hit .421, collecting eight hits in 19 at bats last. He had a slugging percentage of .947 as six of his eight hits went for extra bases including four doubles and two homeruns as he recorded an extra base hit in all five games played.

He collected 18 total bases and a .400 on base percentage.

Lawson also recorded team highs of eight runs batted in and six runs scored.

In series opener of a non-conference match-up with in-state rival Southwest Missouri State he went 1-4 with a solo homerun. The following day he went 3-5 from the plate recording a single, double and a three-run homerun. He also scored three runs to go with his game-high three RBIs.

Lawson also made his 15th appearance of the season on the mound pitching one perfect inning against the Bears in game two.

In a pivotal match-up against OVC opponent Tennessee-Martin Lawson ended the regular season on a positive note.

In the series opener he went 1-3 with a double and three RBIs. He followed that with another 1-3 performance at the plate with a double, one RBI and scored what would eventually be the game-winning run.

In the series finale topped off the week with a 2-4 day with yet another double and two runs scored as he helped propel the Redhawks to a series sweep and a berth to the 2005 O'Reilly Auto Parts OVC Championships.

Lawson extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games.

For the year Lawson leads the team in double with 14 and slugging with a .483 percentage. He is also tied for the team lead with five homeruns this season.

For the season he is batting a career-high .291 in 46 games (39 starts) and has driven in 28 runs which is third on the club.

On the mound he has a 2.51 ERA which leads the team. He has a record of 1-1, pitching in 14.1 innings and striking out nine batters.

Eric Horstman has won the weekly honor twice this season and Ernie Bracamonte has won it once.

Lawson and the Redhawks will travel to Paducah, Kentucky tomorrow to compete in the OVC Tournament at Brooks Stadium. The No. 5 seed Redhawks will face No. 4 seed Murray State in the tournaments opening game on Wednesday, May 25 at 2:30 p.m.