For the second week in a row, a Memphis Tiger baseball player was named the American Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week, the AAC announced Monday.
Senior first baseman Tucker Tubbs who won the weekly honor is on one of the hottest home run streaks in recent Tiger baseball history.
Tubbs hit at least one home run in five consecutive games, and finished the week with six home runs and 12 hits on a .571 batting average.
He joins teammate outfielder Chris Carrier as Tigers who have won the Hitter of the Week this season.
Tubbs separated himself from Carrier by receiving national recognition on top the AAC Hitter of the Week award. He was one of six players named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week on Monday.
Tubbs’ week started in the best possible way as he hit a home run in an 11-8 Memphis victory over the Belmont Bruins on the road in Nashville on April 6.
He hit another home run, this time a two-run homer, in the 7-1 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at AutoZone Park on April 7.
In the opening game in Memphis’ series against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Friday, Tubbs hit another two home runs in a 6-2 defeat. The following day, Tubbs hit yet another home run in an 8-3 victory over the Bearcats.
His most clutch moment would come on Sunday as not only did he hit two solo home runs, but with Memphis down to its last strike. He lined a single into center field to tie the game and send it into extra innings.
However, it was not enough for the Tigers as they lost the game 8-7 in 12 innings and the series to the Bearcats 2-1.
Even before his sensational performance last week, it’s fair to say Tubbs has more than played a key role in the Tigers strong 22-10 record this season.
With his recent surge, Tubbs is now third on the team with a .339 batting average and leads the team in home runs with nine, five more than any other Tiger. He leads the team in slugging with a .673 average.
Tubbs and the Tigers will be back in action on Tuesday as they’ll travel to Clarksville, Tennessee, to take on the University of Austin Peay Governors. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Memphis Tigers senior first baseman Tucker Tubbs rounds the bases in the 7-1 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on April 7 at AutoZone Park. Tubbs leads the Tigers with nine home runs this season. Photo by David Minkin
