BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee’s Jorel Ortega has been named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week after ranking among the league leaders in a handful of offensive categories last week.

The redshirt sophomore second baseman had one of the best weeks of his collegiate career, helping lead the Vols to a series win over No. 24 Alabama in Knoxville.

Ortega led the SEC with a .563 batting average for the week and also tied for the league lead with nine hits, recording at least one base knock in all four games played and three multi-hit performances. He also tied for second in the SEC with six runs scored last week, scoring at least once in every game. His 17 total bases ranked third in the conference, as well.

The Naranjito, Puerto Rico, native, recorded at least two hits in all three games against the Crimson Tide over the weekend, while setting career highs with four hits and four RBIs to help lead UT to a series win in Sunday’s rubber game. Ortega’s three-run homer in the fourth inning turned out to be the game-winning hit in Tennessee’s 15-4 victory on Sunday. He also homered in the series opener and had a triple in Saturday’s 9-2 win over the Tide.

Ortega is the second Vol to earn SEC Player of the Week honors this season, joining fellow infielder Trey Lipscomb, who won the award on Feb. 28. This marks the first time since 2016 (Jordan Rodgers & Nick Senzel) that Tennessee has had multiple players earn conference player of the week honors in the same season.

The Big Orange host Bellarmine on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. before heading down to Gainesville for a series with Florida this weekend.
 

SEC WEEKLY HONORS THIS SEASON

SEC Player of the Week
INF Jorel Ortega – April 18
INF Trey Lipscomb – Feb. 28

SEC Pitcher of the Week
RHP Drew Beam – April 4
RHP Chase Dollander – March 28

SEC Freshman of the Week
RHP Drew Beam – March 21 & April 4
RHP Chase Burns – March 28
OF/C Jared Dickey – Feb. 28 & March 14

-UT Athletics