By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After putting together arguably one of the most dominant performances in Ohio Valley Conference Tournament history, Tennessee Tech designated hitter Ryan Flick took home Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week honors from Collegiate Baseball.
The junior slugger blasted five home runs and drove in a whopping 16 runs while leading the Golden Eagles to three consecutive victories and the 2017 OVC Tournament title. He batted .429 and slugged a mind-blowing 1.500 during the event, putting together one of the greatest single-game performances in the history of the event.
In the tournament opener against Southeast Missouri, Flick crushed three home runs and drove in nine runs, breaking both OVC tournament records and tying both program records. He kicked off the contest with a three-run shot in the bottom of the first inning. In the third, he fired a two-run shot over the right-field wall for his second long ball of the game. For good measure, he tattooed a grand slam to right center in the sixth, tying both records.
On Friday, against Morehead State, the Bluff City, Tenn. native continued his tear with a two-run blast to right field. He cemented his status as the player of the tournament in the title game, smashing a three-run dinger and finishing the game with five more RBI. With the performance, Flick took home OVC Tournament MVP honors in a vote that wasn't even close.
On the year, Flick ranks fifth nationally in total bases (161), sixth in slugging percentage (.735), seventh in RBI (70), 12th in doubles (23), 15th in home runs (18) and 20th in batting average (.384). He also has seen his name decorate the Golden Eagle record book, ranking third all-time in career home runs (36), fourth in RBI (166), sixth in doubles (47) and 10th in walks (91).
Flick sits just seven RBI away from breaking the Tech program's single-season mark of 76 held by Brandon Thomasson (2014)
The Golden Eagles continue their remarkable season at the NCAA Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. starting Friday, June 2. Tech will face off with No. 15 ranked Florida State at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN3.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
