Murphree Earns Another National Player of the Week Honor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas senior first baseman/outfielder Aaron Murphree added another national honor to his resume on Tuesday as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named him the Pro-Line Athletic National Hitter of the Week.

“Aaron had the most amazing week I have seen in 20 years of coaching,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “It seemed like every ball he hit left the ballpark. He even laid down a sacrifice bunt and stole three bases. It was truly a special performance that is worthy of every possible honor.”

The Brock, Texas, native connected for eight home runs over five games with 15 RBI and three stolen bases. Murphree also slugged 1.667 for the week with a .660 on-base percentage

Murphree hit .667 (6 for 9) with seven RBI and three home runs in a doubleheader with South Dakota State on Wednesday. Against Siena over the weekend, he connected for five home runs in three games, including three on March 7 when he also drove in four runs and scored four runs.

On the season, Murphree is hitting .447 with 28 RBI and 12 home runs, which is halfway to Arkansas’ single-season record of 24 set by Ryan Lundquist in 1997.

With the help of Murphree’s hot bat, Arkansas (11-1) posted a perfect 5-0 record last week at Baum Stadium and moved up to No. 19 in this week’s USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll. Murphree was also named the SEC Player of the Week and the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week.

Riding a season-best six game win streak, Arkansas travels to top-ranked Arizona State for a two-game midweek series starting tonight at 8:30 p.m.