Lincoln University of Missouri

Hitter of the Week

Phil Widel - Lincoln University

Junior, Outfield, (6-0, 175), St. Charles, Mo. – Florissant Valley (Mo.) Community College

Widel raked the University of the Incarnate Word for a .643 (9-for-14) batting average and drove in seven runs over the April 20-21 weekend.  Fresh off his torrid hitting performance, in which he went 7-for-8 (4-for-4 game three and 3-for-4 series finale) on the final day (April 21) of the season series with the Cardinals, Widel elevated to 9th in the Heartland Conference with a team leading .366 batting average. 

   Four of the nine hits from Widel in the hit parade were extra base-hits (two doubles and two home-runs).  Each of the two home runs belted by Widel was a game-winning effort.  A lead-off home run by Widel in the sixth inning won the series opener for the Blue Tigers 3-2, April 20.  Widel pummeled the baseball for a three-run home run in the sixth inning of the closer (April 21) to claim an 11-9 lead that the Blue Tigers rode to victory.

   He drew two walks in the weekend set and struck out once in his first at-bat of the first game.

   Only three Heartland Conference student-athletes with greater than 142 at-bats have higher batting averages than Widel.    

   Widel, who has started in 44-of-45 games, has 13 multi-hit games this season. 

   Widel is tied for fourth in the Heartland Conference in home runs (7) and is fifth in Slugging Percentage (.606) and total bases (86).  He is seventh in the Heartland Conference in On-Base Percentage (.458) and hits (52).  Widel is tied for 10th in walks (22), is 11th in Runs-Batted-In (32) and 12th in triples (2) in the Heartland Conference.

   The cumulative strengths of the Blue Tiger team and the phenomenal offensive showing from Widel, powered the Blue Tigers to their first series victory against a current Heartland Conference member from Texas (St. Edward’s, Incarnate Word, St. Mary’s).

   Widel is a Marketing major.  Phil Widel is the son of Tom and Barb Widel.