Coppin State freshman Josh Hankins was named both the MEAC Baseball Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week while classmate Justin Johnson received Pitcher of the Week honors, it was announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. This is the second and third weekly award for Hankins already this season, and a first for Johnson.
An infielder from Boothwyn, Pa., Hankins hit .571 (8-for-14) last week with all eight hits coming in a split of a doubleheader against Albany. I the opener against the Great Danes, Hankins matched a school-record with five base hits as he went 5-for-6 with two runs scored, a double and four RBI. Hankins followed up with a 3-for-4 performance where he doubled twice, scored a run, and also drove in a run.
For the season, Hankins is hitting a team-high .415 with nine runs scored, four doubles, ten RBI and three stolen bases while playing superb defensively at shortstop. Hankins is slugging .512 and has accumulated a .500 on-base percentage.
Johnson did not allow an earned run in his 5.1 innings of relief in two appearances last week. A southpaw from Easton, Pa., Johnson gave up just one hit in a scoreless inning at George Washington before giving up no earned runs over 4.1 innings against Albany. Johnson allowed just two hits and fanned five against the Great Danes.
In his first collegiate season, Johnson has recorded a 1-0 record with a 4.73 earned run average, striking out 13 batters in 13.1 innings. Johnson leads the Eagles in appearances (six), WHIP (1.35) and opponents’ batting average (.208)