Troy University’s Drew Nelson was named the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Week on Apr. 14 after a strong performance both as a pitcher and hitter.
The award recognizes the top two-way player in college baseball each week. Earlier this season, Nelson had been placed on the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Watch List.
“Drew had a tremendous week and embodied what a true two-way player can do for the team,” head coach Skylar Meade said. “He was on base all week, situational hitting, starting, and finishing the final two innings of this weekend’s victory. Congratulations to him, and hopefully, there will be more accolades to come.”
Nelson pitched five hitless innings over two appearances last week, striking out six batters while walking only one. At bat, he posted a .267 average across four starts with two walks, six runs batted in (RBIs), and three runs scored.
He made his first career two-way start against Florida A&M on Wednesday by pitching three perfect innings with three strikeouts and contributing three RBIs at the plate during Troy’s 12-2 win over Florida A&M. In another game against Texas State, Nelson played left field for nine innings before taking over as pitcher in extra innings. He earned the win by throwing two hitless innings with three strikeouts and one walk as Troy defeated Texas State 12-11 to secure an important Sun Belt series victory.
Nelson is scheduled to play next when Troy faces New Orleans at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The Trojans will then return home for a three-game series against Louisiana at Riddle-Pace Field from Friday through Sunday.
