FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Holden, Sports Info. Director
(540) 365-4306
 
March 18, 2003
 

Three Panthers Earn Dixie Laurels
Zakkak, Sanchez Nab Back-to-Back Player of the Week Awards
 
Ferrum, Va. -- Ferrum College junior Carlos Sanchez (Stanleytown, Va./Bassett) has been named Dixie Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week, and freshman Gabe Zakkak (Midland, Va./Liberty) has been named Dixie Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week, for the second consecutive week for Ferrum.  Also, junior Thomas Meeks (Rocky Mount, Va./Franklin County) has earned Dixie Baseball Player of the Week, his first honor this season.

Sanchez helped Ferrum go 3-0 last week, earning a pair of wins in seven innings of work on the mound.  He struck out seven while allowing just four hits, no runs and one walks.  Sanchez is 4-0 on the mound this year, and has given up just 10 hits over 24 innings. Sanchez has a 0.38 ERA, 23 strikeouts and one walk to his credit.  Ferrum is currently 14-0 overall and 2-0 in the Dixie.

Meeks went 8-14 at the plate last week for a .571 batting average, including a double, three home runs, and 12 runs batted in.  He also pitched six innings, allowed five hits and two runs (both earned), struck out seven and walked none.  Meeks is batting .533 thus far this season with two doubles, five homers, and 22 RBI.
 
Zakkak, pictured above with doubles partner freshman Paul Matthews (Richmond, Va./J.R. Tucker), went 3-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles last week.  He recorded straight set wins at #1 singles over Roanoke College, Christopher Newport University, and Shenandoah University.  Zakkak also recorded #1 doubles wins over Christopher Newport and Shenandoah (all three doubles matches vs. Roanoke were rained out).  Zakkak is currently 10-2 in singles, 6-5 in doubles, and 16-7 overall.  Ferrum is currently 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the Dixie.
 
The Ferrum baseball team is scheduled to play next in a non-conference doubleheader against Maryville College March 19 at home.  The men's tennis team is scheduled to play at Bridgewater College March 20 in a non-conference match.  For more information, please contact the Ferrum sports information office at (540) 365-4306.

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