Hatcher Named C-USA Co-Hitter of the Week
4/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 21, 2003
CHICAGO - TCU catcher Justin Hatcher (Fort Worth, Texas/Brewer), who helped spark the Horned Frogs to an impressive three-game sweep of East Carolina this weekend, has been named Conference USA Co-Hitter of the Week, the league office announced on Monday. Hatcher shares the honor with Jeff Cook of Southern Miss.
Hatcher led TCU to 24 runs in three games against an East Carolina pitching staff that came into the weekend only allowing 3.8 runs per game. The senior went a team-best 7-for-13 (.538) for the weekend while driving in six runs and scoring four more. He recorded multiple hits in each of the series' three contests.
Highlighting Hatcher's four-RBI showing on Friday night was a two-out, three-run double in the seventh inning to blow open the Horned Frogs' 8-2 series opening victory. In all, Hatcher went 3-for-4 with the career high-tying four RBI and two runs scored on the evening.
On Saturday night, Hatcher recorded one of the biggest hits of his career with a ninth-inning triple down the right field line that tied the game at three. He went 2-for-4 with a run scored and the huge run driven in as TCU registered the 4-3 triumph in 10 innings.
In Sunday's series finale, Hatcher collected two more hits and another RBI and run scored as the Frogs completed the sweep with a 12-6 rout over ECU.
The honor is the fifth of the season for a Horned Frog. Clayton Jerome is a three-time C-USA Pitcher of the Week (February 24, March 24 and April 14) and third baseman Mike Settle was the February 17 Hitter of the Week.
Hatcher and the Horned Frogs will look to extend a season-high six-game winning streak when it begins a five-game road trip Tuesday evening at nationally ranked Baylor. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark in Waco.
