Coppin State’s Brian Nicolas was named the MEAC Baseball Co-Player of the Week while Justin Johnson earned Rookie of the Week honors, it was announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. This is the first weekly honor for Nicolas this season while Johnson is receiving an award for the second-straight week after taking Pitcher of the Week accolades on March 14.
A junior from Langhorne, Pa., Nicolas hit .438 (7-for-16) with four runs scored, a double, two home runs and seven RBI while helping Coppin to a 3-2 record last week, including a series victory over Delaware State. Nicolas also drew three walks and stole three bases during the week.
Nicolas opened the week with a two-hit effort at George Mason where he scored a run and drove in another while stealing a base. In the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday against Delaware State, Nicolas blasted a pair of home runs, finishing 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBI. He followed that up with a two-hit game in the nightcap where he also doubled and drove in another. On Sunday, Nicolas drew a pair of walks and stole two bases while also driving in a run.
For the season, Nicolas is hitting .323 with three doubles, three triples, three home runs and 19 RBI. Nicolas has also drawn ten walks and is a perfect 5-for-5 on steal attempts. He leads the Eagles in OPS, triples and home runs.
Johnson had a dominant relief appearance in Coppin’s win over Delaware State in the series opener on Friday. A freshman from Easton, Pa., Johnson earned the save while striking out five Hornets in 3.0 innings of work, allowing just two hits and a walk.
Johnson leads the CSU pitching staff with a 3.86 ERA this season, going 1-0 with a save. The 6-foot-1 southpaw has struck out 18 batters in 16.1 innings and is holding batters to a .206 batting average.