GSC Announces This Week's Player of the Week Honorees, March 29
EAST DIVISION
Valdosta State outfielder John Willner (SR, 6-2, 180, Regina, Saskatchewan).
Willner is the first VSU honoree of the season, leading the Blazers to a 3-0 road mark this past week. The senior hit safe all three contests, going 7-for-13 for a .538 batting average and a 1.231 slugging percentage. Willner had a hot start to the week, going 4-for-5 with six RBI and two home runs in a 15-6 win over North Georgia. Next, the Regina, Saskatchewan native helped Valdosta State sweep Lambuth, going 3-for-8 in the series with three RBI and two doubles.
Alabama-Huntsville junior starting pitcher Ryan Griffin (JR, 6-2, 180, Athens, AL).
Griffin is UAH’s first winner of the season while etching his name in the Chargers’ record books. The junior went above and beyond for the Chargers in a 1-0 triumph at West Alabama in the second game of the three-game set. Griffin threw all nine innings of the scheduled seven-inning affair, fanning eight batters and allowing just one hit and two walks. The Athens, AL native notched the first nine-inning shutout in UAH history and posted just the third 1-0 shutout ever.
WEST DIVISION
Arkansas Tech first baseman Landon Sullins (JR, 6-0, 213, Valley Springs, AR).
Sullins is the third different ATU honoree this season after he helped lead the Wonder Boys to a 3-1 mark last week. The junior had multiple hits in each game, going 12-for-17 for a .706 batting average and a 1.500 slugging percentage. The Valley Springs, AR native accounted for four doubles, one triple, one homerun, five RBI and eight runs scored, leading ATU to its second straight GSC series sweep over Arkansas-Monticello. He also turned in a perfect effort on the base paths, successfully stealing all three bases.
Delta State starting pitcher Josh Branstetter (SO, 5-11, 186, Pensacola, FL).
Branstetter is the first Statesmen to claim accolades this season. The sophomore turned in a dominate performance in a 10-0 shutout at then No. 28 Southern Arkansas. The Pensacola native hurled a complete-game, three-hitter for DSU, striking out 12 batters and allowing one walk in seven innings. Branstetter moved to 4-1 on the season with 26 total strikeouts.