ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Sam Haggerty and Josh Walker were named Mountain West Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, the conference office announced Monday afternoon. Haggerty hit .500 (11-for-22) as UNM went 5-0 on the week, which included Walker’s four-hit complete game over Fresno State Sunday afternoon, and moved into first place in the Mountain West.
“I’m very grateful for the honor,” the sophomore from Denver, Colo., said, “but I’m most excited and happy that the team is starting to play well at the right team.”
It’s the second career honor for last season’s conference Co-Freshman of the Year. He got his week off to a blazing start with a career-high five RBIs, including his second home run of the season, in UNM’s 9-6 win over Stephen F. Austin. The next day he added a double, a pair of runs and a stolen base as the Lobos earned a 6-3 win.
As good as he was against the Lumberjacks, however, he was even better against Fresno State. He recorded three multi-hit games as UNM earned a season sweep over the Bulldogs. In Friday’s 5-4 win he went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Saturday he went 2-for-5 with two runs, an RBI and a career-high eight assists in the field as UNM won 11-6. He finished the week with a 3-for-4 performance, including a triple, a run scored and an RBI, to back Walker in UNM’s 4-1 win.
Haggerty finished the week with eight runs scored, seven RBIs, a double, a triple, a home run, two stolen bases, a .773 slugging percentage and a .542 OBP.
Walker, a senior from Rio Rancho, N.M., was brilliant against the Bulldogs. He earned his 24th career win by limiting Fresno State to four hits, and none after the fifth inning. The Preseason All-American is now tied for second all-time in wins at UNM.
He struck out a season-high four and walked just one as he threw 80 of his 119 pitches for strikes. Walker was masterful keeping the ball down as he recorded 14 groundball outs on his way to his second complete game of the year. It’s also his second Pitcher of the Week award of the season and third of his career.
These mark the fourth and fifth honors for Lobo players this season. Walker earned his first award this season Feb. 24, Victor Sanchez was named Pitcher of the Week March 17, and Chase Harris was named Player of the Week a week later on March 24. UNM is now tied with both Fresno State and San Diego State for most weekly awards this season.
UNM is currently playing some of its best ball of the season as it has won five straight, and eight of nine, as it passed UNLV in the conference standings. The Lobos travel to face San Jose State for three games this weekend beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. MT.
2014 Mountain West Baseball Players of the WeekFeb. 17 – Brad Haynal, Jr., C, San Diego StateFeb. 24 – Taylor Ward, So., C/DH, Fresno StateMarch 3 – Taylor Ward, So., C/DH, Fresno StateMarch 11 – Ty France, So., 3B, San Diego StateMarch 17 – Spencer Thornton, So., OF, San Diego StateMarch 24 – Chase Harris, Sr., OF, New MexicoMarch 31 – Seby Zavala, So., OF, San Diego StateApril 7 – Austin Byler, Jr., 1B, NevadaApril 14 – Sam Haggerty, So., 2B, New Mexico 2014 Mountain West Baseball Pitchers of the WeekFeb. 17 – Erick Fedde, Jr., RHP, UNLVFeb. 24 – Josh Walker, Sr., RHP, New MexicoMarch 3 – Tim Borst, So., RHP, Fresno StateMarch 11 – Mark Seyler, So., RHP, San Diego StateMarch 17 – Victor Sanchez, So., RHP, New MexicoMarch 24 – William Munro, Jr., RHP, Fresno StateMarch 31 – Griffin Jax, Fr., RHP, Air ForceApril 7 – Tim Borst, So., RHP, Fresno State; Bryan Bonnell, So., RHP, UNLVApril 14 – Josh Walker, Sr., RHP, New Mexico