March 15, 2005

Missouri junior James Boone has been selected as the Big 12 Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday. Boone hit .786 (11-for-14) in the Tigers' last four games. Included in the 11 hits were a home run, a triple and a double. He drove in 13 RBI in the four games to bring his season total to 36 RBI in just 17 games.

This is the second Big 12 Player of the Week honor for Boone in his career, as he earned the award almost a year ago to they day, March 16, 2004.

Boone had two hits, including a home run, and three RBI against Illinois State last Wednesday to start his week. He opened up a three-game series with Youngstown State by going 2-for-4 with three more RBI on Saturday and followed that with a 4-for-4 day on Sunday, as he drove in five runs and was just a home run short of hitting for the cycle. It was the second time this season he recorded a 5-RBI game. In the series finale with Youngstown State on Monday, Boone drove in three more runs with a two-hit day.

For the season, Boone is hitting .431 with seven doubles, two triples and three home runs. His 36 RBI easily leads the team and puts him well ahead of a record setting pace. The most RBI in a season at Mizzou is 101, set by Aaron Jaworowski in 1996.

Boone and the Tigers will continue their 11-game homestand against North Dakota State at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Taylor Stadium, with the series continuing on Saturday and Sunday.