Athlete of the Week: Tanner Bird
Tanner Bird came up big on both sides for the Hurricanes in the past two weeks, including a complete game win against Mohawk last Saturday to give Hoosac it's 10th win and a spot in the Western Mass tournament.
After a loss to St. Joe's on Monday May 7, Bird helped spark Hoosac's offense in an 8-2 win over Lee on Friday. The senior shortstop went 2 for 3 with a double, three RBI and one run scored.
Bird added his fifth RBI of the week against rival Drury the next day, but his true value came in the three and two-third scoreless innings he threw in relief of starter Mike Koperniak. Bird helped lock up a 7-3 win for theHurricanes, picking up his first win on the mound by striking out two batters and walking three.
Bird came up big again from the bump as he went the distance in his first start of the season, giving up two runs (one earned) on only four hits to snap a Hurricane three-game losing streak. Bird struck out four without issuing a walk, improving his record to 2-0 on the season with the win over Mohawk.
Bird's bat was on fire over the two week stretch as he batted .455. This season, Bird is leading the 'Canes in RBI (13) and has chipped in healthy totals in stolen bases (5) and hits (16). In 17 and two thirds innings pitched, Bird has a stellar 0.79 ERA along with 16 strikeouts to eight walks.