May 19, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University first baseman Will Thompson was named West Coast Conference/Rawlings Co-Player of the Week on Monday following a week in which he helped the Broncos post a 3-1 record that included a three-game sweep of Bay Area Rival, Saint Mary's.
The sophomore from Mizzoula, Mont., posted a .467 batting average (7-for-15) on the week with three home runs, four runs scored and six runs batted in. His slugging percentage for the week was a hefty 1.067 while his on base percentage was a very good .438. He struck out only once during the week and added a sacrifice fly.
His three home runs all came against Saint Mary's over the weekend, one in each game of the series. Those three this weekend combined with two earlier in the season against Saint Mary's accounted for all but one of his home runs in league play this season.
He shares this honor with Gonzaga University catcher Sam Hess who batted .500 (6-for-12) during the Bulldogs three game series with Pepperdine. He belted two home runs, both in key situations that helped the Zags take two of three games from the Coast Division Champion Waves.
The player of the week honor is the first of his career for Thompson who transferred to Santa Clara prior to the season from the University of Arizona. He finished the year with a .335 overall batting average, 11 home runs, 15 doubles and 31 RBI, helping the Broncos to their first winning season since 1997. SCU ended the year with a 31-26 overall record and a 21-9 mark in WCC play.