Published: June 01, 2009 11:52 pm      

Zaleski named Bearkats’ MVP

Riley tabbed SHSU’s Most Valuable Hitter

Nick Zaleski, a senior four-year letterman from Sugar Land, has been named as the Most Valuable Player for the 2009 Sam Houston State baseball team.

Zaleski produced a .419 batting average this season, the highest individual season hitting mean by a Bearkat since Sam Houston State moved up to the NCAA Division I level in 1987. Zaleski is one of nine players in Bearkat history to produce a season average above .400

Starting 33 games at first base, 25 in left field and two as designated hitter, Zaleski led the Bearkats to a 36-24 record and the team’s third consecutive Southland Conference tournament crown and NCAA Division I regional berth. Zaleski earned both second team All-Southland Conference and All-SLC Tournament honors.

The MVP selection was one of four postseason awards voted upon by members of the 2009 Bearkat baseball squad.

Braeden Riley was voted as Most Valuable Hitter and Sean Weatherford was named Most Valuable Pitcher. Jacob Howard received the team’s Spirit Award.

Riley set Southland Conference and Sam Houston State records with 111 hits this season, a total currently leading NCAA Division I baseball. The sophomore from Woodville hit .387 and recorded 37 multiple-hit games. At one point during the season, Riley produced a 16-game hitting streak. He was a first-team All-Southland Conference selection and started all 60 games at second base.

Weatherford produced an 8-2 record as a freshman. The Bryan product led the Bearkats with 80 innings pitched and 77 strikeouts. He also had four saves.

Howard, a junior from West Columbia, pitched in 15 games, putting together a 4-4 record with 56 strikeouts.