McKendree University junior shortstop Tony Kossina, a Belleville West graduate from Millstadt, has become the first Bearcat baseball player to be named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week.
Kossina enjoyed a productive span from March 11-17, helping McKendree to a 4-2 overall record. He was 11-for-23 at the plate (.478) and also had five RBIs, five runs scored and two walks.
Kossina hit safely in all six games last week and on Wednesday against Maryville stretched his hitting streak to 10 consecutive games.
Kossina is second on the team in hitting with a .326 average and also has two doubles, six RBIs, seven runs scored and a team-high 15 hits.
During the Bearcats' first GLVC four-game series, played against Missouri S&T, Kossina went 7-for-15 at the plate, scoring all five of his runs during the weekend.
He had three hits Saturday while helping McKendree to its first two victories as members of the GLVC, 6-2 in the first game and 8-5 in the nightcap.
Kossina did not commit an error in 25 fielding chances at shortstop with 10 putouts and 15 assists. He took over duties as the Bearcats' starting shortstop in 2013 after spending his first two seasons as a right fielder.
Kossina hit .312 as a sophomore with five doubles, two homers, 27 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and 30 runs scored.
McKendree is 7-5 overall and 2-2 in GLVC play. The Bearcats are scheduled to face GLVC rival William Jewell at home in back-to-back doubleheaders Friday and Saturday.
