JJ Schwarz earns national recognition

Florida Gators true freshman JJ Schwarz was named one of the Louisville Sulgger National Players of the Week after an astounding week at the plate. Schwarz went 9-17 (.529) with seven home runs, 15 RBI, 12 runs scored and slugged 1.882.

“Every at bat it’s don’t go to the bathroom when JJ is hitting,” sophomore outfielder Ryan Larson said. “Something special is gonna happen.”

Schwarz started the week off in grand fashion. The freshman blasted four home runs against Stetson on Tuesday, adding a measly double in his final at bat to finish the game with five hits and 10 RBI. Schwarz followed that up with a 2-4 performance on Friday night, adding another home run and finished things off with his seventh home run of the week on Sunday.

“I don’t think anything has come close,” Schwarz said when asked if he’s ever had a week like this. “I don’t think anything will ever come close. “I think I’m just seeing it really well. I said that yesterday but I’m just continuing to see it well. That’s helping me a lot.”

On the season, Schwarz is leading the team with 12 home runs — a fact he will let Harrison Bader know about, as the two continue to go back and forth for the team lead — while hitting .309.

Florida will travel to Florida State on Tuesday night for the final game of the Sunshine Showdown before flying to Starkville, Mississippi for a three-game set with Mississippi State.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC