FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- After shattering the Capital Athletic Conference record for home runs in a season with a dominant showing at the plate this week, Christopher Newport senior
Nicholas Baham was named the league Player of the Week on Monday morning. The Captains' first baseman had a monster week, hitting .500 with 6 HR to extend his national leading total to 19 for the season.
Baham set a new CNU record for homers in a single year with four blasts against York (Pa.) on Saturday, passing Matt Turner's mark of 17 set in 2003. Prior to the big day, he also had a solo shot in the first game of the week on Wednesday against Southern Virginia. He then finished the four-game week with another blast on Sunday against York to cap a CAC series 7-for-13 with 7 RBI, 7 runs scored, and six extra-base hits.
Of the six dingers this week, Baham either tied the game or gave the Captains the lead with four of them. He also tied the program record with 3 HR in a game against York while going 4-for-4 with an intentional walk. Coming into the weekend, Baham was tied for the CAC record for homers in a season with 14 before quickly putting that mark in his rear view. The mammoth shots led to Baham also being intentionally walked twice during the week.
During the week, Baham delivered 10 RBI while slugging 1.688. He has now hit a home run in five straight games and seven of the last nine contests. He now has 59 RBI on the season, tied for the seventh most in a single season, while raising his batting average to a .360 mark. He moved into the top ten all-time in runs scored and total bases while also sliding up to fifth in career RBI with 138. He is just one shy of Billy Steel for fourth all-time at CNU.
In addition to his stellar offensive effort, Baham was also perfect in 30 chances defensively.
The Captains went 3-1 this week with Baham leading the offense, which currently paces the nation across all three NCAA divisions with 12.5 runs per game.
He earned CAC Player of the Week laurels for the second time this season.
