Baseball

Gianakas Tabbed Player of the Week In Four Organizations

Pitman, N.J. (3/31/08) - Senior outfielder Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) was tabbed as the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Player of the Week, New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association (NJCBA) Player of the Week, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Week as well as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) National Hitter of the Week.

Gianakas becomes the second different Cougar to earn NJAC Player of the Week honors after hitting .545 (12-for-22) with four doubles, one triple, five home runs, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored in a 5-1 week for KU.   He also recorded a 1.500 slugging percentage and .630 on base percentage.

He hit safely in all six contests and produced three multiple-hit games including a 3-for-3 performance with a double, homerun, two stolen bases, five RBI, and three runs scored in an 18-4 non-conference win over Drew. He registered at least one extra-base hit in all six games and went 3-for-3 with a double, two homeruns, five RBI and three runs scored in a 13-1 NJAC road win at Rutgers-Newark. He wrapped up the week by going a combined 4-for-8 with a triple, two homeruns, five RBI, and five runs scored in a doubleheader sweep over Rowan.

Gianakas currently leads the NJAC in homeruns (8), and is tied for the league lead in runs scored (29), RBI (30) and total bases (68).