LSU left fielder Derek Curiel was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week by the league office on Monday.
The West Covina, California product helped lead LSU to an SEC series victory over No. 5 Tennessee, as he hit .417 (5-for-12) in the series with two doubles, one homer, three runs, and six RBI. He enjoyed a remarkable day at the plate in Sunday’s series-clinching victory, going 4-for-4 with one homer, two doubles, and a career-high five RBI.
With LSU trailing 2-0, he led off the first inning with a homer to cut the deficit in half. He then tied the game in the second inning with a run-scoring double. He later contributed an RBI single in the fourth inning and a two-run double in the fifth.
Curiel’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning in Friday’s Game 1 versus Tennessee tied the contest at 3-3 and set the stage for first baseman Jared Jones to follow with a walk-off homer that lifted the Tigers to victory.
Curiel hit .467 (7-for-15) for the entire four-game week with two doubles, two homers, four runs, and seven RBI.
Curiel is batting a team-high .373 this season with 15 doubles, two triples, five homers, 41 RBI, 48 runs scored, and a .495 on-base percentage.
LSU’s next game is a midweek matchup versus Southeastern. First pitch from Alex Box Stadium is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th at 6:30, and the action can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.
