Consistent Hitting Earns Ernst USCAA Hitter of the Week
Dylan Ernst was nothing but consistent at the plate this past week going 6-7 with 4 RBI over two games. He was awarded the USCAA Baseball Hitter of the Week for his efforts helping his team to a 3-0 start to conference play.
McKeesport, PA. - The United States Collegiate Athletic Association announced their weekly award winners on Tuesday and Penn State Greater Allegheny's Dylan Ernst (McKeesport, PA./McKeesport HS) was named this week's USCAA Baseball Hitter of the Week. Ernst was the picture of consistency at the plate for PSUGA reaching base in all but one at bat during the week.
Over his two games played, Ernst batted .857 (6-7) with four RBI in helping his team secure the first two of his three wins over the weekend. The performance pushed his season average to .468 and put him in the lead for PSUGA in that category and ranks him fourth in all of the Penn State University Athletic Conference.
His week started out in a barn burner as he went a perfect 4-4 with three RBI in his team's 9-7 conference opening win against PSU-Fayette. Ernst got the offense rolling in the first with an RBI single in his first at bat to get his team out to a 1-0 lead. He would add two more singles and a walk before coming to the plate for his biggest at bat of the day in the top of the 8th with one on and two outs.
He would promptly line an RBI double bringing home the runner from second and giving PSUGA a big insurance run late in the game pushing the score to 9-7, and his team would eventually win by the same score. Ernst would continue his good hitting into the Sunday portion of the series as he once again got his team out to a good start.
He singled in his first at bat in game one opening the door for PSUGA to push across their first run of the game. He would finish the game 2-3 with a walk and an RBI before leaving the game late due to some discomfort.
In total, Ernst hit in six straight at bars for PSUGA as part of his 6-7 week. He also reached base in eight of his nine plate appearances drawing two walks, one intentional. With his success over the weekend, Ernst now leads PSUGA with a .561 on base percentage and a .629 slugging percentage. In his senior season, Ernst is looking to be a leader on and off the field as his team chases a PSUAC Championship.
Ernst is the eighth PSUGA Athlete to earn recognition from the USCAA as Player of the Week and the first of the Spring Athletic Season. Men's Basketball player Koran Flemming was the last to receive the honor winning Player of the Week back on February 4th.
Ernst and his team return to action on Friday when they go on the road to face PSU-DuBois. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.