This week’s Tiger of the Week honors belong to the NCAC baseball player of the week, senior Mike Hammel. Hammel was an instrumental cog in the Tigers’ offense during the team’s four game series against Wittenberg University this weekend. Hammel bounced back from a rough outing on the mound during game one in a big way by going 3-5 in the second game, including a solo homerun in the fourth inning.
In the third game, Hammel had another outstanding game as he went 3-4 with two homeruns and five RBIs. Hammel’s lone out was a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, which drove in the game winning run. Hammel ended his strong weekend in game four with another 3-4 showing at the plate, which included a grand slam in the eighth inning. Hammel’s final stat line from the weekend was 9-13 with four home runs and 10 RBIs.
The DePauw: What did your team do well to help them win three of their four games against Wittenberg?
Mike Hammel: We focused on one game at a time and wanted to take each game one inning at a time. The team came through over the weekend and we are looking forward to a great week.
TDP: Take us back to game three. The score is tied 7-7 in the ninth and you’re up next. What was going through your head?
MH: During my at bat, I was just thinking about getting a ball elevated in the zone so I could hit the ball in the air. I was confident I would get the job done for the team and happy we performed as a group to get a collective win.
TDP: How were you able to bounce back after the first game to have three great games for the rest of the series?
MH: We were able to bounce back in the next three games because of our three qualities as a team: grit, selflessness, and resiliency.
TDP: What are your goals for the baseball team’s upcoming stretch of home games?
MH: Our goals this week are to be a better version of ourselves today than we were yesterday. We want to play well against Rose-Hulman and then train hard for our upcoming conference matchup with Denison.
TDP: What do you like best about playing baseball in college?
MH: The best part about playing college baseball is being with my teammates. My teammates are the greatest and we have a great time together. This team has a bond unlike any other and I'm excited to see where this season takes us.
Hammel will look to carry his momentum into the baseball team’s next set of games, beginning tonight as they take on Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at home. The Tigers will then face one of their biggest challenges of the season, as they host a four game series against an 18-3 Denison University team. The first two games will take place on Friday at noon and 3:00 p.m. The second double header will take place the following day noon and 3:00 p.m.