University of Florida rookie infielder Brendan Lawson was named SEC Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Monday afternoon.
The Gators have produced SEC weekly award winners in back-to-back weeks to open the season, as catcher/designated hitter Brody Donay was named Player of the Week last Monday. For Lawson, his first-career SEC accolade was shared alongside Auburn’s Bub Terrell.
Helping lead Florida to a 4-0 record and series sweep of Dayton, Lawson drove in a team-high nine runs last week while producing hits and RBI in all four games. Starting every contest at first base, the Toronto, Ontario native went 6-for-15 (.400/.474/.667) and tallied 10 total bases, one home run, one double, four runs scored, two walks and one steal.
In game two vs. Dayton, Lawson drilled a grand slam for his first-career homer and recorded a career-high five RBI in the contest. He became the first Gator to hit a grand slam for his first home run since Santino Miozzi against Winthrop on March 3, 2019.
“Just his composure. The game never speeds up on him. He’s under control,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said on Lawson. “He would probably have three or four home runs right now if the wind was a little bit more like it will be as the season goes on. I mean he handles left-handers, he handles, obviously, right-handers and he gives you good at bats. He’s got really good strike-zone management, but he’s been really impressive.”
Defensively, Lawson produced a 1.000 fielding percentage across 31 chances at first base during Florida’s perfect 4-0 week.
Lawson is one of just three Gators to start all seven games this season, hitting .333 to start his rookie campaign with two doubles, one home run, five walks, and 10 RBI. Lawson appears to be an everyday starter for a Florida team that is looking to make their third consecutive trip to the College World Series.