Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball's Jeff Stanek Named MVC Player Of The Week
04/01/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 1, 2002
St. Louis, Mo. - Southern Illinois University senior Jeff Stanek's record-tying three home runs in a game last Saturday against Creighton helped the senior first baseman pick up his first Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week honor on Monday, April 1.
The Orland Park, Ill. native hit an incredible .750 (12-for-16) with three home runs, ten RBI, two doubles, six runs and 23 total bases in four games against Creighton. Stanek had a 1.438 slugging percentage, a .788 on base percentage, two walks and just one strikeout over the weekend.
Stanek had at least two hits in all four games, including an awesome 4-for-5 performance in game two of the series with three home runs, six RBI, three runs and a double. His three home runs in a game tied a school record shared by six others and hasn't been done since 1982 when Kurt Reid pulled of the rare feat against Miami (Oh.). His third homer, a three-run blast, ended the game due to the ten-run rule and a 13-2 lead in the eighth inning.
"In all my years of coaching, I've never seen anyone have a weekend like Stanek did. Jeff had a great year as a freshman and is having a great year as a senior. He really deserves this honor," said Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach.
"We have been spoiled this year with five athletes being honored as play or pitcher of the week and that's a nice situation to have."
Stanek started all four games at first base with 26 putouts, 3 assists and no errors. Stanek increased his batting average from .300 to .384 overall and is hitting a team-high .438 in eight Missouri Valley Conference games.
For the season, Stanek is is batting .384 with a .651 slugging percentage, five home runs, 19 RBI, six doubles, a triple and a .471 on base percentage.
Stanek is the fifth Saluki in seven weeks to win MVC honors. Luke Nelson (3/25) and Jerel Deitering (2/18) were honored as Pitcher of the Week and Toby Barnett (2/25) and Ross Kowzan (3/10) were honored as Player of the Week.
The Salukis face Southeast Missouri State on Wednesday, April 3 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. at 3 p.m.
