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SportsDay's baseball player of the week: Jason Coats
11:38 PM CDT on Sunday, April 20, 2008
By TODD WILLS / The Dallas Morning News
twills@dallasnews.com
School: Plano West
Jason Coats What he did: Jason Coats was 4-for-7 with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs for the week as No. 1 Plano West improved to 27-0 and 13-0 in District 9-5A. Coats hit a home run Friday against Wylie, putting Plano West a victory away from a perfect regular season. Plano West finishes the regular season at Richardson Berkner on Tuesday night.
The stats: Coats is 27-for-54, giving him a .500 batting average. He has 14 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 36 RBIs. He hit four home runs last season, but injured his right ankle right before the playoffs. He was the designated hitter for Plano West's run to the regional semifinals, the best season in school history.
Who is he? He is a senior left fielder.
He said it: "My ankle is back to 100 percent, and I've been healthy. It was just a freak accident last year [getting injured on a play at first base]. Unless another one happens, I'll be healthy for the playoffs."
Coach said it: "He has been very consistent at the plate with his power numbers, and when they've pitched around him, he's taken the walk. If you need a guy to get a base hit, you feel comfortable with him up there." – Plano West coach Kendall Clark.
Did you know? Coats plays summer-league baseball for the Dallas Barracudas. ... He has signed to play baseball at TCU. ... He likes to hang out with friends and fish. Coats, who played quarterback for Plano West, likes to play pickup football. ... Favorite baseball player: Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez. ... Favorite TV show: SportsCenter. Favorite movie: Happy Gilmore. Favorite band: Linkin Park.
HONORABLE MENTION
Player School Cl. Pos. Notable
Ryan Behmanesh Mansfield Summit Sr. P Had eight Ks in complete game vs. Mans. Timberview
Arnold Gomez Bryan Adams Jr. P Had six Ks in complete-game win vs. W.T. White
James Foster TCA-Addison Sr. P Had two wins, including a complete-game three-hitter vs. FW Nolan and a five-inning, one-run effort against No. 1 Prestonwood Christian
Tyler Mapes Carr. Newman Smith Jr. P Pitched nine innings vs. Hebron, allowing three runs and six hits; 4-for-7 for the week
Troy McCartney Celina Jr. SS Was 5-for-6 with a home run and two doubles for the week
Caleb Palmer Rockwall Christian Sr. P/CF Had a five-inning no-hitter with eight strikeouts and a three-run HR vs. Rockwall Heritage Chr.
Jordan Swagerty Prestonwood Chr. Sr. P Had nine Ks vs. First Baptist; Had eight RBIs in wins over Lutheran and Shelton