May. 1, 2000
Fairfield, Conn. - Fairfield University's Ryan Bittner (Emerson, N.J.) was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Baseball Player of the Week today. Bittner helped the Stags to a 5-2 week, including a three-game sweep of Niagara over the weekend.
The sophomore first baseman posted some monster numbers at the plate this week, batting .522 with three doubles, four homers, 11 runs scored and 13 RBI. Additionally, he managed a 1.174 slugging percentage and a .607 on base percentage. He closed out the Manhattan series with a grand slam to give Fairfield a 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Jaspers. Most recently, Bittner was 8 of 9 (.887) with two doubles, three homers and eight RBI in the series sweep of Niagara. He is eight for his last eight and has reached base safely in each of his last 12 plate appearances. Bittner carries a nine game hitting streak, has improved his batting average to a team-leading .355 and is second on the squad with 26 RBI.
After a 4-13 start to the season, the Stags have won 15 of their last 20 games to improve their mark to 19-18. By taking 5 of 6 MAAC games this week and 11 of their last 13, Fairfield has made a climb to third place in the standings at 12-7.
