March 26, 2012

EASTON, Pa. - James McCool, who hit .357 with five RBI for the Lafayette baseball team last week, has been selected as the Patriot League Rookie of the Week. The honor is the first for McCool and the first weekly nod for a Leopards' baseball player this season.

McCool was 5-for-14 while starting all four games at second base for Lafayette last week. In addition to driving in five runs, the freshman scored five times and hit a double. He also drew a walk to tally a .400 on-base percentage for a week while posting a 1.000 fielding percentage on 14 chances.

McCool started his week with a two-run double and an RBI single as a part of a three-hit day on Wednesday against Wagner. He scored two of Lafayette's three runs in the game-one win at Penn on March 24 and then roped a two-run single as a part of a six-run fifth inning in which the Leopards erased an 8-2 deficit in the nightcap against the Quakers.

For the season, McCool has appeared in 12 games - including 10 starts - at second base, third base, shortstop and designated hitter. He is hitting .265 and ranks second on the club with 10 runs batted in.

The Leopards are back in action tomorrow, March 27, when La Salle comes to Kamine Stadium for opening round play in the 2012 Liberty Bell Classic.