By
Brian Penso
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The Arizona baseball team's bats came alive this weekend.
During its recent series with Washington State, the UA accumulated 48 hits to go with eight home runs. On the weekend, the Wildcats notched 39 total runs.
The success of the Wildcat offense was recognized by the Pac-10 yesterday when sophomore second baseman Matt Abram was honored as the conference's player of the week.
Abram is coming off a weekend that included hitting for the cycle on Sunday. The is considered the hardest feat to accomplish in baseball.
"He is seeing the ball really well right now," senior Ernie Durazo said. "Hitting for the cycle is the hardest thing to do in baseball, and it could not have happened to a better guy."
Abram joins Durazo as the only two Wildcats this season to be honored with such an award.
During the team's recent series with the Cougars, Abram hit .533 with eight hits, six RBIs and six runs scored.
Abram became just the 10th UA player and 21st player in Pac-10 history to hit for the cycle.
During Sunday's game, Abram continued his hot streak, finishing 5-for-5 with two home runs, three RBIs and two runs scored.
"He is a very integral part of our team's success," UA first base coach Victor Solis said. "We always have counted on him, and he has proven to everyone that he can produce. He's swinging really well right now, and he is letting his natural ability take over."
On the season, Abram is hitting .366 with 60 hits to go with eight home runs and 40 RBIs.
Abram leads the team in doubles with 15 and his eight home runs are second to junior right fielder Shelley Duncan, who leads the NCAA with 16.
"He is doing a great job for us," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "He has helped Shelley out a lot by hitting behind him, and he is picking up a lot of key hits for the team."
Abram - who UA coaches say is coming into his own - is becoming the player the Arizona Diamondbacks thought he would be when they drafted him in the 10th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
"His success at the plate is vital to the team because when he hits, it helps out Shelley(Duncan) and Ernie(Durazo),"junior shortstop Brad Hassey said. "It was just amazing to see him hit the way he did this weekend."
