Matt Connell got the baseball season off to a swinging start. Serving as the leadoff man, he hit the first pitch thrown to a Hamline batter this year over the fence for a home run March 15 against Iowa Wesleyan. He kept hitting al;l night, going 5-for-8 as HU swept past the Tigers, 13-1 and 11-0 int heir season opeing doubleheader.
The junior earned recognition as the MIAC Baseball Player Of The Week for his exploits. In addition to his longball, Connell had a double, a walk, a hit by pitch and five RBI. Perhaps even more impressive is this stat: he was 3-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
Oh, yes. He also fielded his first base position perfectly, handling all 21 chances sent his way.
Connell and his mates resume action March 20 against Central in Tucson, Arizona. It's the first of eight games out west. The MIAC opener is slated for March 29 against Gustavus Adolphus at Midway Stadium.
