HITTER:
Clay Weatherford, CF
University of Central Missouri

Weatherford, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior from Fulton, Miss, hit the game-tying home run in the title game and has at least two hits in each game to help the Mules claim the MIAA Tournament championship Sunday (May 11) in Kansas City, Kan.

His solo shot with one out in the top of the fifth title the championship game a 2-2. He also singled to go 2-for-4 against Emporia State as UCM claimed a 4-3 win.

In the elimination game earlier Sunday against Fort Hays State, Weatherford was 2-for-3 and scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning by Blaine Rutledge.

In the tournament opener Friday (May 9), he was 2-for-3 and drove home two of the Mules' five first-inning runs with a single to center as UCM defeated Missouri Western, 6-4. He also double and was hit by a pitch.

Weatherford collected three hits in five at bats in an 11-4 loss to ESU, a game which was suspended Saturday (May 10) by rain and had to be completed the next day.

For the weekend, he batted .600 (9-of-15), drove home three runs and scored twice.

Weatherford is a graduate of Itawamba Aggricultural High School, and transferred to UCM from Itawamba (Miss.) Community College.

Others nominated: Dusty Washburn, 1B, FHSU.

Previous winners: 3/17 -- Eric Shortell, RF, ESU; 3/24 -- Brian Majors, LF, ESU; 3/31 -- Tyler Robbins, 3B, FHSU; 4/7 -- Keith Hernandez, C/DH, ESU; 4/14 -- Dusty Washburn, 1B, FHSU; 4/21 -- Keith Hernandez, C/DH, ESU; 4/28 -- Jon Henne, C/DH, NWMSU; 5/4 -- Keith Hernandez, C, ESU.

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PITCHER:
Chris Matlock, RHP
University of Central Missouri

Matlock, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior from Springfield, Mo., made three relief appearances for the Mules in the MIAA Tournament, posting a 1-0 record with two saves and a 0.00 ERA in six innings of work.

After hitting the first batter he faced Friday (May 9) against Missouri Western, Matlock struck out the next three he faced to get the save in a 6-4 victory.

He picked up his victory with 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief, as Central Missouri rallied for a 4-2 win Sunday (May 11) against Fort Hays State. He struck out two and walked none.

In the title game, Matlock allowed just two hits and recorded one strikeout in 2 1/3 innings as the Mules won the tournament title with a 4-3 victory over Emporia State.

For the week, he retired 18 of the 21 batters faced.

Matlock is a graduate of Glendale High School, and transferred to UCM from Metropolitan (Mo.) Community College-Longview.

Others nominated: Matt Augustine, LHP, FHSU.

Previous winners: 3/17 -- Tyler Applehans, LHP, ESU; 3/24 -- Jared Potts, LHP, UCM; 3/31 -- Tyler Applehans, LHP, ESU & Mark Carey, RHP, UCM; 4/7 -- Bill Disselhoff, RHP, NWMSU; 4/14 -- Eric Wallace, RHP, SBU; 4/21 -- Eric Gilliland, LHP, FHSU & Chris Jackson, RHP, MWSU; 4/28 -- Danny Malone, RHP, NWMSU; 5/4 -- Mark Carey, RHP, UCM & Bill Disselhoff, RHP, NWMSU.