Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Bob Donato Earns Second Straight Patriot League Baseball Player of the Week Award
3/5/2012 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 5, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell centerfielder Bob Donato (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) was named Patriot League Baseball Player of the Week for the second straight week on Monday after another impressive weekend. Donato led the Bison to a 2-1 series win over visiting Niagara after connecting on a walk-off home run in the first game of the series. Donato's back-to-back Player of the Week award marks the first time since 2004 that a Bucknell player has won the honor two weeks in a row.
Donato was 6-for-13 with three runs scored, one home run, one RBI, one double, and two walks during the weekend series. He hit .462 with a .769 slugging percentage and .533 on-base percentage.
In the first game of the series, the Bison mounted a comeback after getting down 8-0 to Niagara early on. After going up 10-8, the Purple Eagles forced extra innings in the first game of the doubleheader originally slated to go seven innings. With the game tied 10-10 in the bottom of the ninth, Donato hit his fourth home run of the year to give the Bison a walk-off win. He finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs scored and his game-winning solo home run.
Donato reached base twice with a hit and a walk in the second game of the doubleheader, a 17-4 loss. Donato would add three more hits in the Sunday rubber match victory, along with a double and a run in five at bats. With the 2-1 series victory, the 6-3 Bison are off to their best start since 2004.
Donato is now hitting a team-best .463 on the season after the weekend. He has also accounted for all four of Bucknell's home runs and leads the team in hits (19), RBIs (15), runs (12), total bases (38), and stolen bases (3-3). Donato has now hit in eight straight games and has reached base in all nine this season, extending his streak to 16 straight games dating back to 2011. He also has six multi-hit games in nine contests this season, tied for the team lead.
After this weekend's performance, Donato has continued his climb in the Bison career record books. He is now tied for first in career doubles (45), tied for fourth in home runs (21), ninth in total bases (285), 11th in hits (165), 12th in runs scored (109), eighth in at bats (541), tied for 10th in games started (142), and 11th in games played (149). Donato now has career totals of a .305 batting average, 21 home runs, 89 RBIs, 45 doubles, 24 stolen bases, a .366 on-base percentage, and a .527 slugging percentage in 149 games.
Donato and the Bison will head to Florida for the Russ Matt Invitational from March 11 to March 17. Bucknell will play seven teams in seven days, starting with Georgetown. The Bison will also face North Dakota State, Iowa, Bradley, Eastern Illinois, Nebraska-Omaha, and Northwestern on the trip. First pitch against Georgetown in Auburndale, Fla., is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 11.
