UNCG's Orton tabbed SoCon Baseball Player of the Week

SPARTANBURG, SC – UNC Greensboro senior first baseman Ricky Orton has been named the Southern Conference Baseball Player of the Week for the week ending May 5. This is the second time he has been honored with the award this season.

In Saturday’s 12-9 victory over the College of Charleston, the Bakersfield, CA native belted two three-run homers and a solo to tally seven RBI. Orton is now tied with former Spartans Steve Mokan (1997) and Tonka Maynor (1992) for the single game home run record and is the eighth Spartan to record seven or more RBI in one game. Orton’s three homers, combined with two from his teammates, tied UNCG’s season high five homers in one game recorded on April 12 against Wofford.

Through five games this past week, he batted .450 (9-for-20) with 20 total bases, 12 RBI, six runs, three home runs, and two doubles. He added a 1.000 slugging percentage, a .520 on base percentage, and a total of 17 putouts. In the field and at the plate, Orton helped lead the Spartans to their first ever three-game series sweep over the College of Charleston.

In the season record books, Orton now sits alone in the No. 3 spot with 14 home runs and is tied in the fourth spot with Ryan Brincat (2004) with 44 walks. He took over the No. 6 spot with 53 RBI and is currently tied at eighth with Jeremy Roulin (2005) and Dominic Pattie (1997) with 19 doubles. He is tied with teammate Tim Carrier and two former Spartans, Shane Schumaker (2000), and Joey DeAngelis (1994), for the No. 9 spot with 125 total bases.

After just two years with the Spartans, Orton has already made his mark in the career books as well. Following his three home runs this past weekend, he now sits alone at No. 8 with 20 and he has tied Nicky Phillips (1994-97) for the No. 9 spot with 36 doubles.

Earlier in the season, Orton and fellow senior Matt Gaski both set a new single game records after being walked five times in one game. Orton received his free passes on March 23 against Appalachian State.

Overall, Orton leads the team with a .376 batting average, 125 total bases, 64 hits, 19 doubles, 14 home runs, a .735 slugging percentage, and a .502 on base percentage. He is listed second in the Southern Conference in doubles and walks, is fourth in slugging percentage, fifth in on base percentage, and is tied for the No. 6 spot in total bases. He also ranks eighth in both home runs and RBI, and holds the ninth highest batting average in the league.

This week, the Spartans will entertain their final two non-conference opponents before hitting the road for a final three-game conference road series. UNCG will play the neighboring High Point University Panthers on Tuesday afternoon at 1pm and will follow with a 6pm, Wednesday evening game against the North Carolina A&T Aggies. Over the weekend, the blue and gold will take on the Georgia Southern Eagles in Statesboro, GA. Friday’s game is set for 7pm with a 6pm Saturday game and a 1:30pm Sunday game to follow.

For news about UNCG baseball, complete season schedule, and any other information regarding Spartan athletics log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.

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Player of the Week
F. 25       Michael Harrington (COFC)
M. 3       Corey Overholtzer (UNCG)
M. 10     Ricky Orton (UNCG)
M. 17     Chris Shehan (GSU)
M. 24     Chris Shehan (GSU)
M. 31    Greg Feltes (UNCG)
A. 7        Cory Harrilchak (Elon)
A. 14      Joey Rodgers (FUR)
A. 21      Brandon Sizemore (COFC)
A. 28      Ty Wright (GSU)
M. 5      Ricky Orton (UNCG) 

Pitcher of the Week
F. 25       Asher Wojciechowski (CIT)
M. 3       Jay Jackson (FUR) and Matt Reifsnider (CIT)
M. 10     Jimmy Reyes (Elon)
M. 17     Matt Crim (CIT)
M. 24     Chip Hunt (WOF)
M. 31    Chris Masters (WCU)
A. 7        Nick Karow (FUR)
A. 14      Wes Wrenn (CIT)
A. 21      Jay Jackson (FUR) and Chris Masters (WCU)
A. 28      Jesse Simpson Jr. (COFC)
M. 5      Chris Masters (WCU)