Hunter Gilliam Named Co-SEC, Co-National Player of the Week

After a stellar week of play in which Kentucky Baseball 1B Hunter Gilliam batted .619 (13-21) with five doubles, a triple, 11 RBI and 20 total bases, “Captain Gilly” was named Co-Southeastern Conference Player of the Week and Co-National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, one of the most respected outlets in all of college baseball.

In a week that saw the Bat ‘Cats go 5-0, Gilliam shined in the blue and white. In all five games, Gilliam knocked multiple base hits and recorded multiple RBI in four of the five games. Gilly led the charge in Sunday’s 21-3 drumming of Southern Illinois, hitting two doubles and knocking in five RBI in just seven innings of play.

Gilliam, who spent his first four seasons at Longwood, has been a miraculous get for head coach Nick Mingione and company. He has reached base in all 16 games this season and is currently in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak. The redshirt senior is third in batting average (.410), second in hits (25), and leads the team in RBI (22).

“Longwood was great for me, but being here and playing for the state and seeing how passionate people are has been unbelievable,” Gilliam told KSR last week. “You get to come out here for these people and I love it. I wish I had more time here.”

Hunter Gilliam Named Co-SEC and Co-National Player of Week – UK Athletics https://t.co/R6V7CL4JKe pic.twitter.com/5uu6G2tjjc

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 13, 2023

Gilliam is the second Wildcat to be named CBN Co-National Player of the Week, as teammate Devin Burkes received the honor two weeks ago.

The Bat ‘Cats will be back in action on Tuesday when they welcome rival Indiana to Kentucky Proud Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.