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WVU roundup: Infielder Gray named Big 12’s Player of the Week

MORGANTOWN — After extending his hit streak to 22 games and hitting four home runs in three games, WVU junior second baseman Kyle Gray was named Big 12 Player of the Week.

Gray was also recognized as one of the National Players of the Week by Collegiate Baseball.

A native of Blanco, Texas, Gray is the third Mountaineer to be named the Big 12 Player of the Week this season, after Kevin Brophy was recognized, on Feb. 26, and Marques Inman, on April 9.

Gray’s 22-game hit streak is the longest by a Mountaineer since Dan DiBartolomeo’s 23-game streak in 2009. His 13 home runs are tied for seventh-most in a single season in program history.

Last week, Gray led the league in nearly every statistical category, with a .588 average, a 1.412 slugging percentage, 10 hits, four home runs, nine RBIs, 24 total bases and eight runs scored, while he was second with a .632 on-base percentage and two doubles. His average in WVU’s series at Kansas increased to .615, his slugging percentage to 1.615 and his on-base percentage was up to .667.

Gray had at least two hits, an RBI and a run scored in every game this week for the Mountaineers and hit four home runs in three games at Kansas. His week was highlighted by a career-high-tying four hits and four RBIs with four runs scored on May 4 at KU. He hit the first of four homers on the weekend and was a triple shy of the cycle. The next day, Gray hit a career-high-tying two home runs with three RBIs before closing the week with another two-hit day with his fourth homer in three days on Sunday.

In Big 12 play, Gray leads the conference with a .409 batting average and .833 slugging percentage, is second with seven home runs and 55 total bases, fifth with a .474 on-base percentage, sixth with 27 hits and seventh with 20 runs scored.

WVU hosts Virginia Tech, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, at Mon County Ballpark.

Men’s basketball

WVU guard Jevon Carter and sophomore forward Sagaba Konate were listed Monday among the 69 players invited to the NBA Draft Combine, May 16-20, in Chicago.

Carter was a senior this past season and is out of eligibility.

Konate, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, is still testing the waters and could return for his junior season.

According to NCAA rules, Konate will have until 10 days after the combine — May 30 — to make a final decision.

Konate averaged 10.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last season and led the Mountaineers with 116 blocks.

Women’s soccer

WVU women’s soccer senior associate head coach Lisa Stoia is in Chula Vista, Calif., assisting with the United States’ under-19 women’s national team.

Stoia, a member of the U.S. under-21 women’s national team pool in 2003, will assist head coach Keri Sarver at the eight-day camp, working primarily with the midfielders.

“I am very thankful and excited for the opportunity to work within the U.S. Soccer organization and to assist with the U19 Women’s National Team Camp,” Stoia said. “I’m looking forward to continuing the development of these select players with head coach Keri Sarver and her staff.

“This is an incredible environment to be a part of, and I am surrounded by a remarkable group of players and staff. I’m excited to be a part of this process and to help contribute in all stages throughout the week.”

Stoia recently completed her 11th season as an assistant coach at WVU, where she helped coach Nikki Izzo-Brown lead the Mountaineers to their 18th straight NCAA Tournament bid and third consecutive third-round appearance.