Following a remarkable weekend in the batter’s box, Jonatan Clough of the Eastern New Mexico Baseball program has been recognized as the National Hitter of the Week by the National Colligate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). This is Clough’s first honor at the national level, and he is the first Greyhound to win the accolade in program history. This comes after winning Lone Star Conference (LSC) Hitter of the Week and NCBWA South-Central Region Hitter of the week.

The Hounds left-fielder is the first South-Central Region representative to win national hitter of the week, and the third representative from the LSC to receive national recognition this season (two LSC pitchers have won national pitcher of the week this season).

The first-year outfielder was at the center of the Hounds hitting, with ENMU completing a 4-0 sweep of Oklahoma Christian. In total, the Dominican Republic native registered a .600 BA/ .680 OBP/ 1.600 SLUG, nine hits, smashed four home runs, and accounted for 19 RBIs. The Hounds left-fielder inspired fear into opposing pitchers, frequently causing an infield shift, and being intentionally walked four times.

Clough started the series with a bang, recording a single, triple, and home run, and drove in nine runs in Eastern’s 22-21 walk-off win. His nine RBIs tied a program record, with Derrick Kennedy also bringing in nine runs in 2008 against West Texas A&M (4/25). After posting a hit in ENMU’s 7-6 walk-off win, Clough finished 3-3 at the plate (single, double, and home run), while scoring five runs and being intentionally walked twice in the Greyhound’s 18-14 victory over the Eagles. In the series finale, Clough crushed two home runs and finished with five RBIs, during a 6-4.

With his first home run in the series finale, Clough set a new single season home run record which was previously held by Steve Marquez (12) in 1995 and 1996. Clough currently leads the Hounds in RBIs (56), doubles (10), home runs (14), slugging percentage (.738), and total bases (110). Clough is top five in the conference for home runs (14, 2nd), RBIs (56, 4th), and triples (4, 5th).

Clough and the Greyhounds play a four-game series this weekend on the road against St. Mary’s University. The series begins on Friday, Apr. 21, with a seven and nine inning doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. On Saturday, Apr. 22, the teams will conclude the series with a seven inning and nine inning contests beginning at 1 p.m.