The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Kyle Russell named Big 12 Player of the Week
04.23.2007 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Longhorns' sophomore outfielder Kyle Russell was tabbed the Big 12 Baseball Player of the Week the league announced on Monday.
Russell helped Texas to a series win over Nebraska and became UT's single-season home run record holder during the week. He hit .467 (7-of-15) on the week with five runs scored and six RBI. He logged four extra-base hits, including one double and three home runs, and posted a 1.133 slugging percentage.
In the Longhorns' loss to No. 7 Rice on Tuesday, Russell hit his 21st home run of the year, breaking the single-season school record of 20 set by Jeff Ontiveros in 2002. In UT's wins over Nebraska on Saturday and Sunday, Russell went a combined 6-of-9 with three runs scored, one double, two home runs and five RBI. In both games, Russell gave UT a 2-0 lead with two-run home runs in the first inning.
On the season, Russell leads the nation with 23 home runs and a .899 slugging percentage. He leads the Big 12 Conference in RBI with 57 and ranks second with 51 runs. Through 45 games, Russell is batting .367 with nine doubles, three triples and eight stolen bases to go with his 23 homers.
It marked Russell's third career weekly accolade and the second of this season.
The Longhorns return to action on Tuesday with a 6:05 p.m. contest vs. UT Pan American at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
