Wayland Baptist's
L.J. Diaz and
Brendon Foust have been voted Sooner Athletic Conference Baseball Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively.
Diaz, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was honored after throwing a two-hit shutout in the Pioneers' series-opening 8-0 win over Sterling College (Kan.). In throwing 105 pitches, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound senior right-hander logged Wayland's first complete game of the season and tied a team season-high for strikeouts with 10.
In 25 innings spanning five games, Diaz (2-0), a first-year transfer from Tusculum University (Tenn.), has recorded a team-best 40 strikeouts.
Foust continued his stellar senior season by going 9-for-17 at the plate for a .529 average and a 1.059 slugging percentage in Wayland's five games last week. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound designated hitter from Amarillo totaled 10 RBIs and hit three home runs to boost his season totals to 32 and 10, respectively. He ranks second in the NAIA in both categories, trailing teammate
Luis Vargas in homers (12) and RBI (35). Foust ranks fourth in runs scored with 25, having crossed the plate nine times last week.
Foust, who recorded three steals in a 15-2 win over University of the Southwest, has a hit in all but three of Wayland's 20 hits. He is batting .453 on the season, second among Wayland's regulars (Vargas .500).
Foust is the second Pioneer to earn SAC Player of the Week this season, joining Vargas who was recognized two weeks earlier. It's the second such honor for Foust, who also earned the award last season.
Having posted one of their best pre-conference records at 15-5, Wayland plays its final tune-up before the start of Sooner Athletic Conference action with a doubleheader against New Mexico Highlands starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wilder Field. The Pioneers open league play in Waxahachie on Friday and Saturday against Southwestern Assemblies of God University.
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