Florida Gators place two on SEC Players of the Week list
Florida catcher Luke Heyman has been named the SEC Co-Player of the Week while right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson is the SEC Freshman of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday.
Monday’s announcement marks the first weekly SEC honor for Heyman. This is the second Freshman of the Week accolade for Peterson, who was previously tabbed the week’s top rookie on Feb. 26.
Both players were instrumental in Florida’s series victory at No. 9 Georgia in the regular-season finale. Heyman did the heavy lifting for the UF offense, leading the SEC with 10 RBI and belting three home runs. The Gators catcher finished 5-for-15 (.333/.333/1.000) and also recorded one double, five runs scored and 15 total bases. He swatted two home runs in game one at Georgia, one in game two and drove in four runs in the series finale.
As for Peterson, the freshman fired 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball in the game-two victory over the Bulldogs. He allowed just five hits and two walks while striking out four batters. He limited Georgia to a .250 batting average. Peterson has now strung together five stellar appearances (four starts) dating back to April 19 and leads the Orange & Blue with a 2.33 ERA and .211 batting average against in 19 1/3 frames during that span.
No. 9-seed Florida takes on No. 8-seed Vanderbilt in the opening round of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday, May 21 at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Florida Gators prominent on final SEC Players of the Week list
Co-Players of the Week
Luke Heyman • Florida
Florida’s Luke Heyman launched three home runs and drove in 10 to lift Florida to a series win at No. 5 Georgia. He racked up 15 total bases and also swatted a double in addition to his three big flies. Heyman homered twice in game one vs. Georgia and once in game two. He drove in four runs in the series-clinching victory highlighted by a three-run double in a 12-run fourth inning.
Tommy White • LSU
LSU’s Tommy White led the Tigers to an SEC series sweep of Ole Miss, batting .615 (8-for-15) in three games with two doubles, one triple, three homers and seven RBI. He was 3-for-4 on Thursday with one RBI, one run and the first triple of his collegiate career. White was also 3-for-4 on Friday with one homer, one RBI and two runs, and he culminated the weekend in Saturday’s win with two home runs – including a grand slam – and five RBI.
Pitcher of the Week
Ryan Prager • Texas A&M
Texas A&M’s Ryan Prager was brilliant in Thursday’s shutout win over No. 2 Arkansas as the lefty struck out nine over seven scoreless frames. In his seventh quality start of the season, the redshirt sophomore logged his 100th punchout of the year, becoming the first Aggie to accomplish the feat since 2021.
Freshman of the Week
Liam Peterson • Florida
Florida’s Liam Peterson pitched 5 1/3 innings with three earned runs allowed as the Gators evened the series vs. No. 5 Georgia in game two on Friday. Peterson allowed just five hits and two walks. He struck out four batters and limited the Bulldogs to a .250 batting average.
