Antillon is the reigning Mid-American Conference (MAC) Player of the Week, Brooks Wallace Awards Player of the Week and one of four Dick Howser Trophy National Players of the Week.
Antillon is batting a scorching .581 with 15 runs batted in (RBI), five doubles, two home runs, seven walks and only two strikeouts over the past seven games.
He put a cherry on the top of the best two-week stretch of his collegiate career by hitting the walk-off single in the second game of the doubleheader against Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
“Just sticking to my approach. I mean, I think treating every at-bat the same and having the same goal, just getting on base,” Antillon said about the walk-off hit. “I was just trying to get on base for Garrett Wright because I knew he’d get the job done. I was just trying to stick to my approach and do what I needed to do.”
The Rancho Cucamonga, California, native transferred to Bowling Green after playing two years at Riverside City College, two seasons at New Mexico State and one season at Cal Baptist.
Antillon has become one of the best hitters on the Falcons and in the MAC, batting .344 with a .435 on-base percentage, 12 doubles, 23 RBIs and 19 walks to only 17 strikeouts.
“He’s just using the whole field. He has a middle-oppo approach, but now, he’s pulling a few more balls. He’s on time for the fastball, which allows him to see different pitches,” BGSU head coach Kyle Hallock said. “For a guy who could think he has everything figured out in year six, he’s still trying to grow in this last month or so of his career, which is a testament to who he is.”
Antillon, who is one of the most experienced players on BG’s roster, is also one of the most meticulous.
“He’s as studious when it comes to the opposing pitcher as you’re going to find. He knows the scouting reports inside and out; he can memorize it,” Hallock said. “He gets As in the classroom, and he’d get As on scouting report tests too; he’s just a learner.”
Preparation is key for Antillon to unlock success.
“I believe in my confidence-based preparation. When I prepare well, then I feel confident. Just looking at pitchers and getting a good idea of what their shapes look like, and it just gives me a good idea of what I need to do,” Antillon said. “[Associate head coach Matt Rembielak] and [assistant coach Joey Cooper] and all the coaches do a really good job with their scouting reports. So, seeing what they have to say and then kind of seeing how it matches up with my swing and the approach, and obviously, situation dictates as well.”
With the recent success, Antillon has replaced sophomore centerfielder TJ Takats in the leadoff spot in the past three games and will continue to be a key player for the Falcons as they chase another MAC Championship.
