Harrisonburg Turks outfielder Shane Billings, a junior from Wingate University, is the Valley Baseball League D-BAT Player of the Week for the preceding week’s games from June 28-July 4.

As lead-off hitter, Billings has helped the Turks maintain their hot pace in the top of the South Division standings. The Turks were 5-1 this last week, on a 17-6 season record [as of July 4]. Billings, from Kernersville, North Carolina, hit .440/.464/.760. In six games, he was 11-25 with a triple and two homeruns, 7 RBI, 2 walks and 2 Ks. He had two sacrifices and three stolen bases, as well as 9 runs scored.

In the Turks July 1 game against New Market, with the score tied at 4-4, Billings got a two-out walk in the ninth inning, advanced to second on a pitcher’s error, moved to third on a single from Tyler Straub and eventually across for the plate for the 5-4 win by Jesse Baker’s game-winning single.

Billings is the fourth recipient this season, selected from candidates nominated by coaches and VBL media relations staff. The first three selections were Strasburg Express first baseman Ryan Flick, Front Royal RHP Indalecio  Romo, and Charlottesville Tom Sox outfielder Kevin Conway.

The next D-Bat Player of the Week will be announced on July 13 and be selected from action in games from Sunday, July 5 through Saturday, July 11.

Photo credit: Ken Pullen