By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications
NEW ORLEANS – Two Huston-Tillotson pitchers claimed weekly baseball awards from the HBCU Athletic Conference, the league announced this week. Seniors Ethan Walker and Weston Bailey were honored for their performances between Feb. 23 and March 1.
Walker (La Vernia, Texas), in his third year at HT after transferring from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, was named the conference's Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. He led the Rams to a series-opening win at Arlington Baptist last Thursday, striking out 11 batters while only allowing two walks and one earned run.
With the win over Arlington Baptist, Walker improved his season record to 4-1. Also the recipient of the league's first Pitcher of the Week award last month, Walker's four wins and 2.12 earned run average lead the conference in both categories.
A senior transfer from NCAA Division II Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), Bailey was named the league's Newcomer of the Week after he picked up his first win as an HT Ram this past Saturday in the team's 8-3 win at home over Arlington Baptist to open a doubleheader.
Bailey, a native of Austin and a graduate of Johnson High School in Buda, Texas, struck out six batters and scattered seven hits over seven innings to earn the complete-game victory. So far this season, Bailey has compiled a 4.58 ERA and struck out 21 batters while opponents are hitting .236 against him. His opponent batting average is the lowest on the HT staff among pitchers with more than 10 innings pitched.
The Rams (12-11) resume HBCU Athletic Conference play Thursday, March 5, when they open a three-game series against Wiley at 6 p.m. The teams will conclude their series with a doubleheader Friday afternoon beginning at noon.
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