Rockwall-Heath’s pitcher-catcher Benefield named Player of Week

Rockwall-Heath baseball player Drew Benefield was named The Dallas Morning News Player-of-the-Week yesterday for his performances last week in the Hawks’ three-game playoff series against Frisco Centennial.

First,  the right-handed Junior pitcher-catcher threw a two-hit shutout in the Hawks’ game one victory.

Then the 6-0, 220-pound slugger went 2-for-3 with two home runs and six RBIs in Game 3 of the bi-district series, as the area’s seventh-ranked Class 4A team advanced to face North Dallas.

Because he missed half of the season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, his numbers were somewhat misleading entering the playoffs. But his coaches knew they could rely on him in the playoffs, now that he’s healthy again.

Entering the playoffs, he was only batting .233 with six RBIs. On the mound, however, he was 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA in 14 2/3 innings.

“The first game of the series was the first time I felt good and healthy,” said Benefield. ”It was really good for my confidence.”

“As soon as he hit it, the left fielder just turned and watched to see how far it would go,” said Hawks Coach Greg Harvey, about Benefield’s second home run in Saturday’s game.