OVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jeremy Johnson, Sr., OF, Tamms, Ill. (Southeast Missouri)
Johnson had a huge week at the plate, batting .647 (11-17) with two doubles, five homers, 13 runs scored and 10 RBI's as Southeast Missouri won all five of its games. In the Indians' three game sweep of Morehead State, Johnson went 5-6 with three homers, eight runs scored and seven RBI's. He also drew eight walks in the five games and took over the OVC batting lead with a .423 average.

 OVC PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Chip Albright, So., RHP, Hudson, Ohio (Eastern Kentucky)
Albright tossed a complete game 2 hitter as Eastern Kentucky defeated Eastern Illinois 2-1 on Friday. The sophomore right-hander struck out eight and walked one over seven innings and allowed just an unearned run. He faced only 25 batters in the contest and upped his record to 6-3.

 AUSTIN PEAY: The Govs (22-22 overall, 6-9 in OVC) vaulted back into contention for an OVC Tournament slot after a three game sweep at Tennessee-Martin. Sophomore outfielder Frank Kunich hit .474 (9-19) for the week and belted a pair of homers in APSU's 7-3 win over the Skyhawks on Saturday. Kunich also pitched an inning of relief in Game 2 of the series and struck out three. Senior reliever Gunnar Tatom recorded his 4th save of the year - but first since early March - last week. In three appearances, Tatom scattered five hits over 6.1 innings. Senior hurler Nathan Stecker got his first start of the season versus UTM in Game 3 and got the win after allowing just three runs over six innings. 

EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers (14-23 overall, 7-10 in OVC) were swept in an OVC series for the first time since 1997, dropping three games at Eastern Kentucky. The losses ended Eastern Illinois' hope for a third straight regular-season conference title. Senior right-hander John Larson became the Panthers' career leader in innings pitched with 278.1. He tossed a 5 hitter and struck out eight against EKU in Game 1, but took the loss in a 2-1 decision. Second baseman Josh Landon hit .333 for the week, including a 3-4 performance as EIU knocked off 25th - ranked Illinois 1-0 on Tuesday. Four pitchers combined for the shutout, including sophomore Scott Metz who was making his first collegiate start.

 EASTERN KENTUCKY: The Colonels (22-18 overall, 15-3 in OVC) swept their third OVC series of the year, taking three games from Eastern Illinois. The sweep, along with non-conference victories over Xavier and Wright State, extended EKU's winning streak to a season best seven games. The Colonels, who are on a five game conference winning streak, haven't lost a league series all year. Senior first baseman Lee Chapman batted .450 (9-20) last week with a homer and eight RBI's. He is riding a seven-game hitting streak. Sophomore right-hander Chip Albright tossed a 2 hitter and struck out eight as EKU beat EIU 2-1 in the opening game of the series. Albright faced just 25 batters in a game that was played in 1:21. EKU pitchers picked up three saves in the five games last week, including a pair by Mike Martini.

 MIDDLE TENNESSEE: The Blue Raiders (25-16 overall, 11-3 in OVC) extended their winning streak to nine games with a come from behind victory over Vanderbilt and a three game sweep of Murray State. The winning streak is just one game shy of the school record set in 1981. MTSU has also captured seven straight in OVC play. Senior shortstop Wes Whitehead batted .545 for the week with two doubles and five RBI's. Three of those hits came with runners in scoring position. Justin Links is hitting .406 with four homers and nine RBI's since moving to the #2 spot in the order eight games ago. Sophomore pitcher Jeremy Armstrong picked up a win and a save out of the bullpen last week. In Game 3 of the MSU series, he struck out four of the seven men he faced. Sophomore pitcher Dewon Brazelton upped his record to 5-2 and tied a career high with 10 strikeouts against MSU in Game 1.

 MOREHEAD STATE: The Eagles (17-21-1 overall, 2-13 in OVC) picked up a 14-9 win at Louisville, but suffered a three game sweep at Southeast Missouri in OVC play. Third baseman Mike Reichert and outfielder Brandon Hignite both went 7-14 (.500) last week to pace MSU offensively. Outfielder Jason Kennedy, who is 4th in the OVC in batting (.390), had just one plate appearance last week after pulling a groin muscle at MTSU. With veteran pitchers Rick Lowe and Charlie Rutledge on the shelf with arm problems, the Eagles sent a sophomore and two freshmen to the mound in their series with Southeast Missouri. Former MSU hurlers Jon Rauch (2-1, 3.74 ERA) and Rick Cercy (2-0, 0.00 ERA) continue to do well in the minors.

 MURRAY STATE: The Breds (16-21 overall, 8-6 in OVC) are in the midst of a four game skid after an 11 inning loss at Memphis and three defeats in OVC play to Middle Tennessee. Murray State had won six in a row and 12 of 15 going into the week. Senior shortstop Chris Johnson batted .444 (8-18) for the week with two runs scored and five RBI's. He was also perfect in 22 chances in the field. The loss to MTSU in Game 1 of the series snapped a 10 game home field winning streak for the Breds. Junior pitcher Preston Hesley struck out seven over four innings in Game 2 of the MTSU series, including four in one frame. The Memphis contest was MSU's first extra inning game of the year.

 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: The Indians (28-10 overall, 12-2 in OVC) ran their winning streak to eight games after non-conference victories over Arkansas State and Southern Illinois, and a three game sweep of Morehead State. Southeast has now won 12 of its last 13 OVC contests and remains atop the league standings. Senior outfielder Jeremy Johnson turned in a big week offensively, going 11-17 (.647) with two doubles, five homers, 13 runs scored and 10 RBI's. Johnson, who was also walked eight times, took over the OVC batting lead with a .423 average and is just two RBI's shy of the Indians' career record of 167. Senior pitcher Lanson Debrock improved his record to 8-3 after tossing a four hit shutout in Southeast's 7-0 win over Morehead State on Friday. Senior Dan Huesgen turned in a complete game in the opener of the MSU series, giving up six hits and a run over seven innings.

 TENNESSEE-MARTIN: The Skyhawks (7-33 overall, 0-14 in OVC) are still looking for their first league win after dropping three games to Austin Peay. Tennessee-Martin had three more hits than the Govs in the series, but committed 14 errors, including seven in Game 1. UTM had five players making starts in positions for the first time this year as they continue to be without eight players from their March 28 van accident. They also lost shortstop Desmond O'Quine with a foot injury against Ole Miss. The Skyhawks' 12 seniors play at home for the final time this week as UTM hosts Arkansas State on Tuesday and Eastern Illinois over the weekend.

 TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles (19-19 overall, 5-6 in OVC) went 3-1 last week, including a pair of road wins at UAB. Tech batted .298 as a team for the week, led by Ben Cunningham who went 6-12 with a double, two triples and three RBI's. Outfielder Jesse Johnson hit .462 for the week with a pair of doubles and his first career homer. Senior Brad Kleeman batted .429 with four doubles. Junior outfielder Matt Curtis, who leads the team with a .372 average, sat out last week with an elbow injury. Junior Donnie Long improved to 5-1 with a 2.05 ERA after allowing just one earned run over 7.1 innings against Belmont. With 19 victories, Tech has already topped its win total from a year ago. Sophomore Michael Meihls is one of 40 catchers on the watch list for the Johnny Bench Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.