Photo Courtesy of R. Todd Miller

RICHMOND, VA -- Freshman third baseman Matt Harden became the second member of the University of Delaware baseball team to earn Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week honors after being named the top freshman by the league office.

After spending most of the season serving primarily as a reliever, Harden (Wilmington, DE / St. Mark's) started all four games at third base this week for Delaware while leading the team to a 2-2 record. During that span, he finished second on the squad with a .385 batting average after roping five hits in 13 at bats.

Harden also notched two RBI and finished tied for second on the team with five runs scored. Against Lafayette on Tuesday, he scored his first career run, while he notched his first extra-base hit against Hofstra on Friday after ripping a double down the left field line in the sixth inning to start the Hens' three-run rally.

After getting a hit in all four contests, he also extended his hitting streak to five straight games, which stands as the longest active streak on the team.

With his performance, he improved his season batting average to .206. As a pitcher, he has posted a 3.60 earned run average, marking the second lowest among Blue Hen pitchers with at least 10 innings of work. He has also struck out 10 batters in his four appearances on the mound.

Harden is the second Blue Hen to be selected as the Rookie of the Week this season after fellow infielder Jon Duvall earned the honor on March 4.

Matt is also the third member of his family to earn a weekly conference honor at Delaware. His oldest brother, Steve, who currently serves as the team's assistant coach, was named the America East Rookie of the Week twice in 2000, while his other brother Dave earned CAA Player of the Week nods once as a junior in 2004.

Along with Harden, the CAA honored Hofstra's Anthony Sarno as the Player of the Week, while Brad Holt from UNC Wilmington and Josh Squatrito of Towson were named Co-Pitchers of the Week.