Reed Honored After Five-Homer Weekend by Louisville Slugger
*Photo by Regina Rickert
LEXINGTON, Ky. – After belting five homers and driving in 11 runs in a three-game span, Kentucky junior A.J. Reed has been named one of four Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week as well as SEC Player of the Week, it was announced by Collegiate Baseball on Monday afternoon.
A native of Terre Haute, Ind., Reed was named National Player of the Week by Louisville Slugger, joining VMI right-hander Reed Garrett, who threw a no-hitter Saturday, LSU righty Aaron Nola, who worked seven no-hit innings Friday, and Kansas righty Frank Duncan, who struck out 14 in 7.2 innings.
A member of the preseason USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Watch List, Reed had a historic weekend, becoming the first player in UK history with five homers in a three-game span. Reed, who also worked seven, one-run innings for the win on Friday, hit two homers – including a grand slam – becoming the first player to hit two homers in an inning for UK since Jason Kipnis in 2007. Saturday, Reed gave UK the lead with a two-out, two-run single in the third inning at Old Dominion, before tying the game later in the seventh inning with a solo homer. In a Sunday win over St. John’s Reed belted two homers to complete his historic stretch.
In seven games to open 2014, Reed has hit .433 (13-for-30) with 10 runs, three doubles, six homers and 17 RBI. On the mound, Reed has a win over No. 1 Virginia in a 2-0 record, with a 1.50 ERA and a .205 opponent average in 12 innings. A first-team preseason All-America selection by Baseball America, Reed has hit .300 (133-for-444) in his three-year career, with 20 doubles, two triples, 23 homers and 112 RBI, while owning a 9-11 record with a 3.28 ERA on the mound in 148 innings in his career.
In the SEC stats, Reed ranks as the league leader in slugging (1.133), hits (13), RBI (17), home runs (six) and total bases (34). He also ranks fifth in the league in average, second in runs, 11th in innings pitched and is tied for the SEC lead in wins.
Reed has been named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week twice in his career, also earning the honor on March 5, 2013, after a 15-RBI week. He has earned three SEC weekly accolades in his career, as he was named SEC Freshman of the Week on April 2, 2012 and SEC Player of the Week on March 5, 2013 after a 15-RBI week.
KENTUCKY STAYS AT NO. 25 IN PERFECT GAME POLL
Kentucky stayed put at No. 25 in the latest Perfect Game USA top-25 poll, released on Monday afternoon.
UK completed a three-game weekend at the Old Dominion Tournament with wins over St. Joseph’s (13-2), ODU (7-5) and St. John’s (13-0).
Kentucky (5-2) will return to action on Tuesday with its home opener against Wright State set for 4 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on the UK IMG Radio Network, with the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price, voicing the action.
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