Jaekob Sallee had a day to remember for the Hillsdale College baseball team on Sunday.
The Great Midwest Athletic Conference was paying attention.
Sallee was named the G-MAC Baseball Player of the Week on Monday afternoon after a monster doubleheader performance against California (PA). It's Sallee's first-ever weekly conference honor of his career.
The senior utility player was dynamite for Hillsdale against the Vulcans, going 5 for 8 with three extra base hits in 7-1 and 4-1 victories against Cal (PA). The biggest of those hits came in the ninth inning of the second game, when Sallee put the Chargers ahead for good with a two-run home run to break a 1-1 deadlock. Sallee went 3-4 for in that contest with a double as well, and also hit a solo home run to help add to Hillsdale's lead in the first game.
It's a big moment for Sallee, who's best known for his defense, positional versatility and speed on the basepaths, but who's also flashed plenty of power at the plate when called upon in five seasons at Hillsdale. For his career, the senior has 20 doubles, six triples and seven home runs, including the two he hit on Sunday.
It's just seven games into the season but Sallee is already on track for potential career highs in several categories in his final season with the Chargers, as he looks to help lead Hillsdale into G-MAC title contention. The Chargers are back in action this weekend in St. Louis, with four games in three days against three Midwest Regional foes, including Maryville, McKendree and Missouri-St. Louis.
Photo by Steve George