ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: TODD FRIEND

Todd Friend

School: Notre Dame

Sport: Baseball

Coach: Jeff Graviett

Week Report: Friend wasn't so friendly against opposing pitchers last week. The junior right fielder went 4-for-8 in two games with three runs batted in, two stolen bases and five runs scored. Friend, batting in the No. 9 spot, provided Notre Dame's biggest hit against Jackson last Friday when he blistered a two-run triple in the seventh inning to give the Bulldogs a temporary lead. The Bulldogs pulled out a win in 10 innings. It was one of three hits on the day for Friend and two of his three RBIs. Against Poplar Bluff, Friend had a double and walked.

Coach's Comments: "Todd's one of those guys who knows his role. His job is to drive in runs. He's been a great player for us and works tremendously hard and loves the game of baseball," said Graviett. "We expect him to increase his role as a leader on this team. We have high expectations of Todd. He plays a very good right field. He could hit a little as a freshman and we couldn't find a place for him. He had a hard time even catching fly balls in the outfield his freshman year. For him to go from there to the catch he made at state last year and the diving catch he made against Jackson, this kid has made the most strides of any kid I've seen from his freshman to junior years."