Francis Marion athletes earn PBC weekly honors

FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University senior right-hander David Walters has been named the Peach Belt Conference “Pitcher of the Week” for the week of Feb. 23-March 2, while junior Tereza Sykorova has been selected as the women’s tennis “Player of the Week” for the same period of time.

Walters blanked Armstrong Atlantic State University on one single over seven innings as the Patriots won 19-2 on Saturday. He walked one and struck out two, while facing only one batter over the minimum for the seven innings.

The 6-2 righty upped his season record to 2-1, while lowering his earned run average to 4.76. He has helped the Patriots to a 10-6-1 record (4-2 in the PBC) and a No. 21 national ranking.
A native of River Hill, Md., Walters posted a 9-4 record last year and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 47th round of last year’s draft, but chose to return to school for his senior year.
Sykorova, a native of Prague, Czech Republic, was a perfect 2-0 in singles and doubles last week, both against PBC opponents on the road. She won in straight sets over the No. 1 players from USC Aiken and UNC Pembroke.

She is ranked ninth nationally in singles and owns a 7-0 season record, and has yet to lose a set this spring. She, and teammate Valeska Ibscher, are ranked eighth nationally in doubles and also own a 7-0 season mark.

The eighth-ranked Patriot women are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Peach Belt. FMU will host Barton College on Wednesday (March 4) at 2:30 p.m. The Patriots will then play three non-conference road matches this weekend.

Last year, Sykorova earned All-American honors as she posted a 21-2 singles record and a 24-2 doubles mark. She also earned PBC “Player of the Week” recognition once in 2008.

By Michael G. Hawkins