VMI slugger Matt Pita named SoCon Player of the Week

VMI outfielder Matt Pita was named the SoCon Player of the Week. It is the second time this season that the junior has been so honored, after also earning the award on March 5, and he becomes the first VMI player since 2011 (Sam Roberts) to earn two conference player of the week awards in the same season.

Pita went 10-14 (.714) in five games this week, with multi-hit games in four of the five. In midweek action, Pita went 2 for 4 with three RBI and a homer in Tuesday’s loss to Longwood, and reached base five times in five plate appearances Wednesday in a win at VCU (1-1, 3 BB, HBP). He then went 7-9 with five RBI as VMI swept Western Carolina for its first home conference series sweep since 2014. It was a series highlighted by Pita’s inside the park home run Saturday, VMI’s first inside the parker since 2008. All told, Pita drove in eight runs on the week, had five extra-base hits among his 10 hits and chipped in two steals as well.

Pita and the Keydets return to action Wednesday, when they travel to Richmond for a make-up game against the Richmond Spiders. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.