Will Cates, a junior outfielder from Cy-Fair, Texas, opened the 2015 in style by earning SCAC Hitter of the Week honors. 

Cates led the Pirates of Southwestern to a 2-2 record this past weekend including a weekend series victory over ASC runner up from 2014 Concordia (TX). 

Cates went 8-for-19 over the week with a double, two triples, two homeruns, and five RBIs. He also scored nine runs, stole four bases, and a had a slugging percentage of 1.000

Cates opened the season, going 3-for-4 with two homers, three RBIs, two stolen bases, and four runs scored in a wild 15-13 loss to Howard Payne. He had a pair of multi-hit games against CTX including a 3-for-6 day with a double, triple, RBI, two stolen bases, and two runs scored in the rubber match, which Southwestern won 7-5.

Last season, Cates .239 on the year. His 19 RBIs were second best for the Pirates while he was 12-for-15 on the base paths. He also led Southwestern with two home runs and finished with team-high eight extra base hits and 47 total bases.

Southwestern started 2015 by going 2-2 this week. They dropped the season opener 15-13 to Howard Payne in Brownwood, but reponded by taking two of three over Concordia over the weekend. 

The Pirates return to the road for three games in Jackson, Mississippi this weekend. They open with Fontbonne on Friday at 10 am.