Senior outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) was named the SAC Tournament MVP, while also earning NCBWA Southeast Region Player of the Week honors. Spitz led the Bulldogs on an incredible run through the SAC Tournament, starting with a 17-9 win over Carson-Newman in an elimination game on Thursday. Wingate dropped Friday's contest to Newberry, meaning the Bulldogs had to win five games in three days for the title. The 'Dogs beat Anderson 17-3 on Saturday, then picked up a 5-3 win over Newberry Sunday. Wingate was back on the field Sunday night, defeating Tusculum 12-8. The Bulldogs knocked off top-seeded Catawba 8-2 on Monday, setting up a title game with the Indians. Wingate erased a 4-0 deficit, scoring 11 of the game's last 12 runs, capturing the title with an 11-5 victory.
Spitz posted a .517 average in the seven games, with three homers, five doubles, 16 RBI and 12 runs scored. The first team All-SAC selection also stole five bases in five attempts while compiling an on-base percentage of .600 and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Spitz also made 28 putouts in centerfield to go along with an outfield assist. He had three or more RBI in four games during the tournament, while scoring at least one run in every win. Spitz also had multiple hits in all six Wingate victories.
One of 30 finalists for the Tino Martinez Award, Spitz is hitting .390 on the year with 17 homers, 19 doubles, four triples, 76 RBI and 79 runs scored. He has 20 stolen bases in 21 attempts, while compiling a .748 slugging percentage and .481 on-base percentage. Spitz leads the nation in runs scored, ranking third in RBI, fifth in total bases, seventh in hits, 13th in homers and 21st in doubles. He leads a Wingate offense that leads the nation in homers, while ranking second in hits and runs, fourth in doubles and 15th in slugging percentage.
