SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Samford third baseman Taylor Garris was honored Monday by being named the Southern Conference Player of the Week for all games played from April 3-9. The selection was made by the league office.
 
Garris turned in a brilliant .667 batting average last week as he hit 10-of-15 from the plate in games against Alabama A&M and Mercer. He also scored five runs, tallied four RBI, blasted two home runs and earned a stolen base.
 

Garris finished with at least two hits in every game last week, including a pair of three-hit performance against Alabama A&M and Mercer. The Bulldogs' talented true freshman third baseman opened the week with a 3-for-4 night against Alabama A&M. He played a key role in Samford's 11-3 victory as he drove in a pair of runs, scored two runs and connected on a deep home run to left field.
 
Over the weekend, Garris finished 7-of-11 on the road against first-place Mercer. He opened the series Friday with a 2-for-3 outing, then added a 3-for-5 performance on Saturday before closing out the series with another 2-for-3 day and his third home run of the season, as well as his second round-tripper of the week.
 
Garris' stellar .667 batting average last week helped him build his team-high total to .387 this year. He also compiled 16 total bases, a 1.067 slugging percentage and a .667 on-base percentage.
 
Samford (19-13) hosts 10th-ranked Auburn (24-10) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. (CT) before welcoming The Citadel (10-19, 2-4) for a three-game league set starting Thursday.
 
Also nominated: Ben Peden (The Citadel), Christian Bailey (ETSU), Danny Edgeworth (Mercer), Michael Goss (UNCG), Collin Fleischer (VMI), Cameron Blaquiere (Western Carolina) and McClain Bradley (Wofford).
 
The Samford University baseball team will next be in action Tuesday at 6 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs welcome the 10th-ranked Auburn Tigers to Joe Lee Griffin Field for a key nonconference matchup. Earlier this season, Samford earned a 7-6 victory at Auburn on Feb. 28.
 
Tuesday is shaping up to be a big night for fans in attendance at Joe Lee Griffin Field. In addition to the marquee matchup between the Tigers and Bulldogs, following the game Samford baseball will host its annual Diamond Dig, where one lucky fan will win a $650 diamond cross necklace, courtesy of Steed's Jewelers.
 
In pregame ceremonies, Head Coach Keylor Chan and his 2016 SoCon Volleyball Champions will receive their championship rings.
 
Tuesday is also Dawson College Ministry Night with free pizza and t-shirts for Samford students, while supplies last. The Mello Yello Sampling Team will also be onsite with free samples of Mello Yello, the original smooth citrus soda.
 
And finally, Samford will partner with the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha for a "Pink Out" to promote breast cancer awareness and education. A limited number of Pink Out socks will be available for purchase and donations to the ZTA Foundation and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund will be accepted throughout the night. 
 
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2017 SOCON PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 20 - - - - - Chris Cook, ETSU
Feb. 27 - - - - - Charlie Madden, Mercer
March 6 - - - - - Will Malbon, VMI
March 13 - - - - - Austin Embler, UNCG
March 20 - - - - - JT Thomas, Mercer
March 27 - - - - - Charlie Madden, Mercer
April 3 - - - - - Bryson Bowman, Western Carolina
April 10 - - - - - Taylor Garris, Samford
 
2017 SOCON PITCHERS OF THE WEEK
Feb. 20 - - - - - Matt Frisbee, UNCG
Feb. 27 - - - - - JP Sears, The Citadel
March 6 - - - - - Adam Scott, Wofford
March 13 - - - - - Bryan Sammons, Western Carolina
March 20 - - - - - Blake Smith, ETSU
March 27 - - - - - JP Sears, The Citadel
April 3 - - - - - Josh Winder, VMI
April 10 - - - - - Ryan Askew, Mercer