May 21, 2018
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Coming off a monster weekend against LSU, sophomore shortstop Will Holland has been named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Monday morning.
Holland went 10-for-14 from the plate with six runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and six RBI in the series against the visiting Tigers. The SEC Player of the Week honor is the first of Holland's career. He was also named a National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
After going 1-for-4 with a double and run scored in a midweek contest at Troy, Holland exploded for a career-high four hits with three runs and two RBI in the series-opening win against LSU. A day later, the Lawrenceville, Ga., native backed up his career night by going 3-for-4 from the plate. He saved his best for last, though, by again going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a double, two home runs and four RBI in the finale.
Holland's two-home-run effort Saturday was his second of the season and pushed his season total to 10. He is one of five Tigers with double digit home runs this season, matching the 2009 and 2010 teams for the most players with 10 or more home runs in a season in program history.
Prior to the regular season finale Saturday, Holland had led off the previous four games with an extra-base hit - three doubles and one home run. He finished the regular season with a team-best .329 batting average and 51 runs scored while tying for the team lead with 15 doubles.
Holland and the Tigers begin postseason play with a matchup against 10th-seeded Kentucky (34-21, 13-17 SEC) Tuesday at 1 p.m. CT in Hoover, Ala. The winner of Tuesday's game will play second-seeded Ole Miss (42-14, 18-12 SEC) Wednesday at approximately the same time.