FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, March 21, 2016 Big series at the plate earns Cox GNAC Player of the Week
Adam Cox has six extra-base hits in the series over the weekend, including two home runs as he earns his first-ever GNAC Player of the Week award. PORTLAND, Ore. – All six of the hits off the bat of Montana State University Billings sophomore Adam Cox went for extra bases over the weekend, leading to his first career Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week award handed out on Monday. Cox went 6-for-12 with three doubles, a triple, and two home runs, driving in six and posting an incredible slugging percentage of 1.417 on the weekend. “Adam is deserving of the player of the week award,” said MSUB head coach Rob Bishop. “He was great on the mound and at the plate. It was fun watching his hard work pay off this weekend.” Cox also drew three walks and was hit by a pitch, getting on base in 10 of 16 times up for an on-base percentage of .625. On top of his dominance in the batter’s box, Cox also earned his third save of the season on the mound in Game 1. Taking over with the ‘Jackets leading 12-11 in the eighth inning and the tying run on base, Cox struck out four of the six batters he faced and did not allow a baserunner.
The Yellowjackets needed Cox’s 3-for-5 performance in Game 1, as he drove in three runs with two doubles and a triple to help MSUB steal a narrow win from the Cavs. Cox came back strong on Day 2, blasting a two-run shot to straightaway right field in Game 1 and launching a no-doubt, high drive over the wall in left center in Game 2. Cox now leads the team in batting this season at .339, and is second in home runs (5) and RBIs (18). Ten of Cox’s 19 hits on the year have gone for extra bases, as his .714 slugging percentage leads the GNAC. Cox is also reaching base at a clip of .403, and has scored a dozen runs on the year. On the mound as MSUB’s closer, Cox has been nearly untouchable as he holds a 0.90 earned run average in 10 innings over seven appearances. Batters are hitting .156 off of Cox, and he has 13 strikeouts while allowing just one earned run on the year. His sub-1.00 WHIP sits at 0.90, as he has allowed just nine baserunners in his 10 innings on the mound. This is Cox’s first season as a hitter for the ‘Jackets, as he was used strictly as the team’s closer last season. As a freshman in 2015 Cox led the team with four saves, striking out 21 batters and holding a 4.70 ERA in 23.0 innings. The award is the first Player of the Week in Cox’s career, and is the fourth such award of the year for the Yellowjackets. Senior Luke Reinschmidt has twice earned Player of the Week honors, including last week, and senior Tanner Johnson was the GNAC Pitcher of the Week in early February. After splitting its four-game series against Concordia last weekend, the Yellowjackets will get set to host GNAC foe Western Oregon University this weekend in a four-game series at Dehler Park in Billings, Mont., running Friday and Saturday. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--