May 1, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina freshman first baseman Justin Smoak is the SEC Freshman of the Week following his performance in the weekend series against Mississippi State. Smoak was 6-for-11 (.545) in the series including a 3-for-4 performance in Friday’s 11-5 win over the Bulldogs. Smoak recorded his first multi-homer game of his career and tied his career-high in hits in the six-run win over MSU. He has increased his home run total to 10 on the year and is now one short of the freshman school record set by Drew Meyer (11) in 2000.

Smoak is the third Gamecock this season to earn an SEC weekly honor. Andrew Cruse and Mike Cisco each earned SEC Pitcher of the Week in March and April respectively. Smoak is currently batting .290 (47-for-162) on the year with 10 HR and 31 RBI as well as a team-high 11 doubles. Smoak and Michael Campbell are the only members of the Carolina baseball team to start all 44 games this year.