By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

Alan Valdez, who has helped LaGrange College’s men’s tennis team put together the best season in the history of the program, has been named the USA South rookie of the week.

Valdez, a LaGrange native who is joined on the team by his brother Carlos Valdez, got it done in matches against conference foes Brevard and Covenant.

Valdez was 2-0 at number three singles, and he was 1-1 at number one doubles.

BASEBALL: Gibson Bittner was named the USA South rookie pitcher of the week, and Jack Layrisson was named the player of the week.

Layrisson had things working at the plate.

In four games, Layrisson hit .563 with 12 RBIs, and he scored six runs.

In three critical games against conference foe Piedmont, Layrisson was 6-of-12 five seven RBIs.

Bittner, who has become a critical member of the bullpen, pitched 8 2/3 innings in four games, and he collected two wins while allowing just one run while striking out 11.