His streak over, Wittels is having good season

March 14, 2011 (Monday)

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Garrett Wittels‘ 56-game hitting streak ended with a thunk in the first game of Florida International University’s 2011 season, but the junior infielder has been hitting well ever since.

The Golden Panthers are 12-5 so far, and Wittels has played a key role. The 20-year-old leads the team with 16 RBIs and 6 doubles (tied) and ranks second in batting average (.338) and on-base percentage (.403). His 7 strikeouts are the fewest among FIU starters.

Wittels’ ability to make contact was on display in a 13-5 win over the University of Rhode Island on Feb. 28, when he went 2/4 with 6 RBIs. Though 3 of his RBIs came on hits — a two-run double and one-run single — the other 3 came on a fielder’s choice, a groundout and a sacrifice fly.

No doubt, Wittels will have a tough time matching his breakout 2010 season. Last year he led FIU in batting average (.412), doubles (21), RBIs (60), and on-base percentage (.462). But with 2/3 of the 2011 season remaining, you never know.

FIU’s next three games (Feb. 18-20) will be shown online at ESPN3.

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