Oregon's Naulivou Lauaki Jr. earns Big Ten honors after explosive week
Oregon Ducks designated hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. entered the lineup this week and slugged his way to conference honors.
Needing a spark at the plate, Oregon Ducks coach Mark Wasikowski made some changes to the lineup this week, inserting a couple of freshmen who had typically come off the bench into the starting lineup. Brayden Jaksa thrived at the top of the lineup, but it was Naulivou Lauaku Jr. who came away with conference honors.
Lauaki was recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his performance in Oregon's four games this week, all of which he started. Lauaki served as the designated hitter in all four games, replacing Dominic Hellman , who has been the typical designated hitter this season. Hellman has slumped, leading to Lauaki's extra chances at the dish.
He made the most of them, slashing . 471/. 471/1.
176 with a 1. 647 OPS after collecting eight hits during the week. Lauaki belted his first career home run in a midweek loss at Portland, and followed that up with two more big flies on Saturday against Nebraska.