A week of non-conference play remains before Lone Star Conference play begins for the eight league teams.
LSC baseball teams are 76-41 overall this season. In the NCAA South Central Region, the LSC is currently 34-22 overall including 12-6 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 20-15 opposed to the Great American Conference and 2-1 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
DIAMOND PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTERS
Alex Schultz, Eastern New Mexico University, SR, Shortstop, Tempe, Ariz, Mountain HS/E. Arizona College
Schultz batted .571 for the week and posted a .929 slugging percentage, with two doubles and five runs batted in. He belted a three-run homer against Cameron and went two-for-four in a win over 27th-ranked Abilene Christian. He started at shortstop in all four games and played error-free defense.
Lee Neumann, Angelo State University, JR, Center field, Brenham, Texas, Brenham HS
Neumann provided the spark in the Rams’ 7-4 series finale win over Central Oklahoma with a three-run home run to add to another strong week at the plate for the junior this season. Neumann finished the five-game week for the Rams with six RBI, a double, triple and .313 batting average. He also stole two bases and had a .688 slugging percentage for the 8th-ranked Rams.
PITCHERS
Pete Perez, Tarleton State University, JR, RHP, Sacramento, Calif., River City HS
Perez tossed an eight-inning shut out with 10 strikeouts as the Texans defeated Cameron Friday night in Abilene. Against the Aggies, Perez gave up just four hits and two walks while fanning 10 batters as he improves his record to 2-1 on the season. Perez also held batters to a .133 average.
Austin Palmer, Abilene Christian University, JR, LHP, Folsom, Calif., Folsom HS
Palmer captured his first victory of 2012 behind a three-hit, 8.0 inning effort vs. Tarleton State in the Sunday night finale of the ACU/Whitten Inn Classic. The Wildcats won the game 6-1. Palmer was a little shaky to start the game by walking three in the first two innings, but was close to perfect the rest of the way in allowing just one base runner over his last five. His lone blemish late in the game was a two-out double off the bat of Garrett Hardey, who was left stranded at third when Jonathan Schmitz struck out looking to end the sixth. Palmer finished the game with five strikeouts, and after 108 pitches, turned the game over to Josh Stone in the ninth.