Aug. 16, 2010
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LEXINGTON, Ky. - Former Nittany Lion All-American and current Lexington Legends catcher Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.) was named South Atlantic League Player of the Week on Monday following a stellar four-game stretch which included a three homer game on Friday.
After going 0-for-3 on Aug. 8 in the first game since his call-up, Heath bounced back by hitting .533 (8-for-15) last week with a triple, three home runs and 10 RBI in just four games.
"We have had some tremendous individual performances this year," said Lexington General Manager Andy Shea. "Heath's three-home run game was incredible."
Heath, who broke the Penn State single-season home run record this season (19), now has 28 long balls in 345 total at-bats this year, including his time with the Nittany Lions.
The Legends mark Heath's third team of 2010. After being selected by the Houston Astros in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, he played 37 games for the New York-Penn League's Tri-City ValleyCats, hitting .248 with six homers and 21 RBI before his call-up. He is currently hitting .444 in five games with the Legends.
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Here is the Lexington Legends' complete release:
Lexington Legends catcher Ben Heath made quite an impression in his first week in the South Atlantic League.
Heath, who joined the Legends August 8 after being promoted from Tri-City in the New York-Penn League, was named South Atlantic League Player of the Week for Aug. 9-15, SAL President Eric Krupa announced Monday.
For the week, Heath batted .533 (8 hits in 15 at bats) with one triple, three home runs and 10 RBI. His slugging percentage for the week was 1.267. He hit three home runs and drove in seven runs in the Legends August 13 game against West Virginia at Applebee's Park.
"We have had some tremendous individual performances this year," said Legends General Manager Andy Shea. "Heath's three-home-run game was incredible."
Heath, 21, who played college baseball at Penn State, was chosen in the fifth round of 2010 draft by the Legends' parent club, the Houston Astros.
Heath and the Legends will go against the West Virginia Power Monday night. Completion of Sunday's suspended game, tied 1-1 in the top of the third inning, will begin at 5:05 p.m. That game will be a seven-inning game, and following its completion, another seven-inning game will be played.
The Legends will remain at home for a four-game series against the Southern Division-leading Greenville Drive beginning Tuesday night.