WEEK 9 STATS: 5 starts, .536 BA (15-for-28), 5 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 9 runs, 1.036 slugging pct.
Ward’s hitting streak reached 19 games last week as the redshirt freshman batted .536 (15-for-28) over the course of five appearances. Eight of his 15 knocks went for extra bases, including a trio of round-trippers. He slugged 1.036. Powering the Bulldogs to four wins and one tie, the outfielder produced five multi-hit performances while scoring at least one run in every outing. Ward, who has scored a run in 11 consecutive contests, logged 10 RBI and nine runs during the five-game week. He struck out only once in 28 plate appearances. Ward began the week by logging two hits and two runs in a 9-9 tie against regional rival UConn. Then, he morphed into a RBI machine during the first half of the Bulldogs’ four-game road series against Fairleigh Dickinson. He drove in 10 runs as Bryant won the first two games of the series by a combined 35-6 count. Ward led off the opener by singling and eventually coming around to score the first run of a 19-6 triumph. He proceeded to blast two three-run homers en-route to a 4-for-6 day at the plate. Ward went 4-for-6 again in Game 2, accounting for four RBI in the 16-0 win. The rookie led off the game by blasting a solo homer over the right-field fence. He added a two-run single one frame later. Ward recorded three more hits in Game 3 and also scored one run in the 11-7 victory. Helping Bryant complete the sweep, he connected on two doubles in the finale. Kick-starting the scoring once again, Ward doubled to lead off the contest and came home on a groundout two batters later.