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April 24, 2007

Deao Garners MIAA Hitter of the Week Honors

MIAA logo    Overland Park, Kan. -- Pittsburg State University outfielder Kevin Deao garnered Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Hitter of the Week honors Tuesday (Mar. 20). Deao shared the weekly honor with first baseman Rob Nelson of Fort Hays State University.
    Deao, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior from Omaha, Neb., batted .464 (13-of-28) with four home runs, eight runs batted in and 10 runs scored in seven games for the Gorillas last week.
    He had a sacrifice fly during PSU’s four-run seventh at Southwest Baptist last Monday (April 16), leading the Gorillas to a 4-0 game one win. Deao finished 1-for-2 with a hit by pitch and a stolen base.
    In a 10-6 loss to Emporia State Wednesday (April 18), Deao was 2-for-5. His solo home run in the seventh cut PSU’s gap to 6-4.
    He was 3-for-6 with two home runs -- including the game-winner -- in the Gorilla’' 8-6, 12-inning victory Friday (April 20) over Northwest Missouri State. Deao’s two-run shot with one out in the 12th capped a three-run inning for the win, and he added a solo shot in the third to give PSU a 3-1 lead.
    In a 3-2 game one win Saturday (April 21) vs. Northwest, Deao gave Pitt State a 1-0 lead with a first-inning sacrifice fly, then singled and scored in the third to knot the game at 2-2. He had a two-run homer in game two, a 10-4 win, and scored another run after reaching on a fielder's choice.
    He was 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored, including the tying run in the first and a go-ahead run in the sixth, in a 12-11 loss to Northwest Sunday (April 22).
    Deao is a graduate of Skutt Catholic High School, and transferred to PSU from Independence (Kan.) Community College.

    Others Nominated: Brandon Kirsch, OF, NWMSU; Brian Majors, RF, ESU; Josh Paul, 1B, UCM.
    Previous Winners: 3/14 -- Kevin Deao, OF, PSU; 3/20 -- Connor Crumbliss, DH, ESU; 3/27 -- Willie Forrest, 2B, MWSU; 4/3 -- Zach Walton, 1B/OF, WU; 4/10 -- Josh Paul, 1B, UCM; 4/17 -- Luke Dreiling, 2B, FHSU.