Cole Jenkins ’24 earned Perfect Game/Rawlings Player of the Week and Southern Conference Player of the Week awards and was also named one of Collegiate Baseball’s National Players of the Week for his performances the week of April 3–9, 2023.—Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.
Cole Jenkins ’24, VMI baseball outfielder, had a huge week at the plate April 3–9, 2023, and has been recognized by numerous outlets for his performance. He earned the Perfect Game/Rawlings Player of the Week and Southern Conference Player of the Week awards and was also named one of Collegiate Baseball’s National Players of the Week.
The last Keydet to earn national player of the week honors was Matt Pita ’19, who was named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week March 5, 2018.
Jenkins had a breakout performance April 6 in a SoCon doubleheader sweep at Western Carolina University. He drilled four home runs—two in each game—and finished the day with six hits and six RBIs. The Mechanicsville, Virginia, native also hit well in VMI’s midweek non-conference game at Virginia Commonwealth University April 4, going 2-4 with a triple, a run, and a stolen base.
In these three games the week of April 3–9, Jenkins hit .571 with six RBIs and six runs with a 1.571 slugging percentage. He stole two bases and drew a walk to help the Keydets improve to 18-14 overall and 5-3 in the league.
“Cole was instrumental in helping our team capitalize on winning this weekend at WCU,” said Sam Roberts ’11, head coach. “He offensively contributes a tremendous amount to our program. This recognition is well deserved.”
Jenkins has eight homers this year and is tied for first on the team and third in the conference. He ranks sixth in the SoCon for slugging percentage (.664) and is tied for sixth in RBI (31), second in doubles (11), and third in total bases (75). Jenkins has a .336 batting average with 27 runs and a .393 on-base percentage while starting in each of VMI’s 32 games.
This is the third conference weekly award for a Keydet this season, with Zac Morris ’23 named the Player of the Week Feb. 27 and Justin Starke ’23 receiving SoCon Baseball Player of the Week honors March 20.
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared at vmikeydets.com.
