SEWARD, Neb. – The hot bat of Jesse Garcia continues to get noticed around the league. On Tuesday (April 11), the Concordia University Baseball first baseman was named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Player of the Week. Garcia has earned the distinction for the second time in 2023. Teammates Frankie Cresta (March 28) and Joey Grabanski (Feb. 28) have also garnered GPAC weekly awards this season.
In the middle of the lineup, Garcia is enjoying the best season of his collegiate career. In last week’s action (including a doubleheader at Northwestern and the four-game series with Dordt), Garcia went 12-for-21 (.571) with nine runs scored, two doubles, four home runs and 10 RBIs. He reached base at a .640 clip and slugged 1.238 for the week while also successfully handling all 31 chances in the field. Entering the week, Garcia has batted .391 with 11 doubles, 14 home runs, 45 RBIs and an .820 slugging percentage in 36 games this season.
The El Cajon, Calif., native continues to climb the program’s all-time lists. Over the weekend, Garcia broke Concordia Baseball career records for hits (242), doubles (55), RBIs (194) and walks (109). In 217 career games as a Bulldog, Garcia has also blasted 52 home runs and has slugged .632.
Garcia and the Bulldogs (25-11, 11-3 GPAC) are readying to play a doubleheader today (April 11) at Dakota Wesleyan with first pitch at 1 p.m. CT.
Concordia GPAC weekly awards in 2023
April 11 – Jesse Garcia (Player)
March 28 – Frankie Cresta (Pitcher)
March 14 – Jesse Garcia (Player)
Feb. 28 – Joey Grabanski (Player)