March 12, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - While Conference USA continued to make waves as one of the toughest leagues in Division I last week, UCF (11-9) was a key part in helping the conference have eight of its nine members over the .500 mark for the season. And one student-athlete who was unstoppable was Golden Knight first baseman Kiko Vazquez (Sebring, Fla./Sebring), as the sophomore was named the C-USA Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
In guiding UCF to a 5-0 record last week, Vazquez went 7-for-14 (.500) with nine RBI and a 1.000 slugging percentage. He pounded out a double in each of the first four games and added his fourth homer of the season in game one with UMass.
To open the slate, Vazquez had a 1-for-4 day with two RBI and his first career stolen base in a 7-5 win over Michigan State March 6. He then went 2-for-3 with three RBI to guide UCF to a 5-2 triumph over Northeastern the next night. In the series opener against UMass March 9, Vazquez was 2-for-3, drilling a home run and finishing the 6-1 victory with four RBI and two runs scored. He followed that up with a double, two walks and a hit by pitch in a 5-2 win March 10, then wrapped it up by drawing three walks yet still going 1-for-1 at the dish in a 7-1 victory. In the field, Vazquez converted all 51 chances (49-2-0) at first.
For the season, Vazquez already has more RBI (22) than he did as a freshman last season (21), and has matched his home run total with four. The Sebring native now has a .303 batting average and a team-high .545 slugging percentage.
Vazquez's honor was the first UCF weekly award for the 2007 season.
UCF returns to the diamond by putting a five-game winning streak on the line vs. Army Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Jay Bergman Field. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.