ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - River Rider outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu has won the Appalachian League Hitter of the Week.
The 6-foot-4 outfielder from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is the second River Rider hitter to win the award (Owen Carapellotti), and had arguably the best week for any hitter in the Appalachian League this season.
Over the stretch (June 27-July 3), Owusu-Asiedu was all over the basepaths and hit an even .500 (12-24) on the week over five games played. He hit two home runs as well as four doubles and had eight RBI as well over the stretch. On top of that, he added seven runs scored as well as two walks. In all five of the games he played in, he had at least two hits, running his on-going streak to eight games.
On June 29, he had two hits including home run at home against Bristol. On July 1 at Greeneville, he had two hits and added three RBI. At Kingsport on July 2, he had a banner day, which included four total hits (three of which being for extra bases) and a two-run home run. He also delivered the game-tying hit in the ninth inning before scoring the go-ahead run in the same inning, a game in which Elizabethton came back to defeat Kingsport,11-9.
On the year, Owusu-Asiedu is currently slashing .348/.429/.640 with five home runs and 21 RBI. He has 11 doubles on top of 14 walks and four stolen bases. The native of Waukesha, Wisc., also leads the River Riders in games played.
