Willis Named First 2022 Baseball Player/Rookie of the Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 7, 2022) – The Commonwealth Coast Conference has announced the first baseball weekly awards with Western New England's CJ Willis being named as the first Player/Rookie of the Week for the 2022 season. 

Willis, a first year from Auburn, Mass. led the Golden Bears to a sweep over cross-town rival Springfield College on Saturday afternoon to give the Golden Bears a 2-0 start to the season. In game one of the doubleheader, Willis went 2-4 at the plate, with both hits coming for extra bases. In the top of the fifth, Willis would explode for his first career collegiate home run, a three-run home run to give the Golden Bears a 4-0 lead at the time. In the top of the seventh, Willis would come through with an RBI triple, plating an insurance run for Western New England, as they defeated the Pride 6-2. Willis would finish game one with four RBIs in the win. 

In game two, Willis smacked another home run for the Golden Bears, this time a solo shot to give Western New England an early 1-0 lead. WNE never trailed in the two games to the Pride, defeating Springfield College 6-4 in game number two to get the Golden Bears out to a perfect 2-0 start to the season. 

The Golden Bears continue their road trip on Wednesday, March 9 at 3:00 pm when they take on RPI from Robinson Field. Western New England plays their first 11 games on the road before taking opening their home schedule on March 25 from Trelease Park.