March 9, 2007
ATHENS, Ohio - Sophomore third baseman Brandon Besl has been named the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week for the week ending March 4, the conference office announced Thursday evening.
Besl (Cincinnati, Ohio) led Ohio to three straight wins over the weekend as he went 7-for-14 (.500) at the plate with a home run, two doubles, five RBI, and five runs scored. The sophomore Bobcat also swiped a base and struck out just once in 14 at-bats.
In Ohio's 9-6 win over Ohio Wesleyan Friday, Besl clubbed his first home run of the season and tallied two RBI in the win. He followed that up with a 3-for-4 performance against Otterbein with a double, two RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Otterbein entered the contest ranked first in the nation in the NCAA Division III preseason rankings. Besl finished off his weekend with a 3-for-5 effort Sunday with a double, three runs scored and an RBI as Ohio topped Rio Grande 12-7.
The Oak Hills High School product has since hit safely in each of Ohio's two contests this week and currently carries a seven-game hit streak. He is hitting .414 with 12 hits, a home run, four doubles, 10 runs scored, and eight RBI over that span. He leads all Bobcat regulars with a .342 batting average this season.
Besl and his Ohio teammates look to continue a five-game win streak this weekend when they host Butler for three games. The two teams will square off in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Bob Wren Stadium.
