May 3, 2007

GREENWOOD, IN - Bluffton's TIM KAY (Alpharetta, GA/Blessed Trinity) has been named April's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Player of the Month. The junior baseball pitcher/designated hitter batted .500 during the month and also produced on the mound for the Beavers.

Kay was 29-for-58 at the plate in 17 games and collected 15 RBI, 12 runs scored, two triples, five doubles, and a home run. He finished the month with a .707 slugging percentage, .586 on base percentage, and stole eight of nine bases he attempted.

On the mound, Kay has been just as dominating for Bluffton. Kay posted a 1.50 ERA in 24 innings of work during the month. He finished with a 1-2 mark, tossing two complete games while allowing only four earned runs. Kay held his opponents to a .209 batting average, struck out 15 batters and gave up only 18 hits during his three April starts.

Included in his accolades for April, Kay received the conference's Baseball Hitter of the Week award. During the week of April 22, Kay finished 16-for-24 at the plate, while recording six RBI, six runs, three doubles, two triples and five stolen bases.

On the season, Kay currently leads the conference in batting average (.493) and on base percentage (.570), while ranking second in slugging percentage (.701). Kay ranks third in ERA (2.57) and opposing batting average (.220) on the mound this season.

Bluffton is currently 5-16 overall and will conclude the season with three games at Transylvania this weekend. 

Kay is the first Bluffton athlete to win the award this season. TONY MOORE (Elida/Elida) claimed the award for his efforts on the diamond last April for the Beavers.

The HCAC Player of the Month award is in its second year of existence. The award is voted on by the sports information directors of each member institution.

-BEAVERS-