Smith Named SEC Freshman of the Week

OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss first baseman Matt Smith has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.

Smith, who returned to the lineup Friday night against Indiana State after spending a week rehabbing from an injury suffered on opening day, had an outstanding weekend at the plate. The first baseman hit .692 with three home runs, four runs scored and a 1.462 slugging percentage. He also tallied six RBI on the weekend.

Smith exploded on Sunday as he was critical to the success of the Rebels in a 6-5, 11-inning win over the Sycamores. He went 5-for-6 at the plate with two home runs, including the game-winning walk-off home run in the 11th to seal the win for Ole Miss. Smith also hit a two-RBI single in the ninth inning with two outs to tie the game at five and send the contest into extra-innings.

In Saturday’s game, Smith entered the game as a defensive sub and went 2-for-2 with a home run in the Rebels’ 11-4 win over the Sycamores