BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced Jordan Friend (Alabama A&M) and Jim Ploeger (Texas Southern) as its SWAC Baseball Players of the Week for April 8.

Friend was recognized as the conference's top hitter becoming the Bulldogs' second player on the season to earn the award. Ploeger becomes the first pitcher among the Golden Lions to receive pitching honors for the week on the year.

Jordan Friend

Alabama A&M

IF • Jr. • 6-3 • 200 • Huntsville, Ala.

For the week, Friend led the league with a .600 batting average going 9-for-15 at the plate. In four games, he totaled a double, two home runs and four RBI. He collected 16 total bases, registered a slugging percentage of 1.067 and posted an on base percentage of .625.

His play helped AAMU finish 3-1 during the week with wins over Samford and Alcorn State. He finished 2-for-3 in the 5-2 win to help the Bulldogs land their first win in program history against Samford. He followed up in the conference doubleheader sweep over Alcorn State going 6-for-10 with five runs scored, a double, and four RBI while hitting home runs in both contests.

He notched his best game of the week in AAMU's 18-14 win in game one going 4-for-6 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBI.