NEW ORLEANS – After leading their teams to emotional victories, Louisiana’s Connor Cooke and Georgia State’s Josh Smith claim Sun Belt weekly accolades, presented by GEICO.
 
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Connor Cooke, Louisiana
(So., RHP – Sulphur, La.) 
 
Ragin’ Cajuns sophomore right-handed pitcher Connor Cooke tossed a two-hit complete game shutout in Saturday’s 9-0 victory over Arkansas State. The Sulphur, La., product struck out 12, without conceding a walk, in the 122-pitch outing. Cooke is the first Louisiana starter to throw a two-hit complete game shutout since 2014. His 12 strikeouts in the outing are the second-most among Ragin’ Cajuns pitchers in a two-hit complete game shutout. 
 
Baseball Player of the Week
Josh Smith, Georgia State
(So., OF – College Park, Ga.) 
 
Panthers sophomore outfielder Josh Smith punctuated his week with a ninth-inning, go-ahead grand slam that capped Georgia State’s nine-run rally in Sunday’s 15-13 win over App State. With the bases loaded and two outs, Smith blasted the 1-2 pitch over the center field fence for his first career grand slam­. On the week, the College Park, Ga., native hit .438 (7-for-16) with seven RBIs, six runs scored, two stolen bases, a double and a home run. 

2021 Sun Belt Baseball Pitchers of the Week
Week 1 – Quinton Martinez, App State
Week 2 – Spencer Arrighetti, Louisiana
Week 3 – Mason Patel, Georgia State
Week 4 – Trey Lindsay, ULM
Week 5 – Carlos Tavera, UTA
Week 6 – Spencer Arrighetti, Louisiana
Week 7 – Zachary Leigh, Texas State
Week 8 – Connor Cooke, Louisiana
 
2021 Sun Belt Baseball Players of the Week
Week 1 – Logan Cerny, Troy
Week 2 – Nick Lucky, Coastal Carolina
Week 3 – Kobe Barnum, Little Rock
Week 4 – Mason McWhorter, Georgia Southern 
Week 5 – Logan Cerny, Troy
Week 6 – Logan Cerny, Troy
Week 7 – Carson Roccaforte, Louisiana
Week 8 – Josh Smith, Georgia State