The Northeast Conference (NEC) tabbed UMES first baseman Diego Aponte as the conference player of the week for the week of February 17, 2025. 

In the Hawks' weekend road series against Towson, Aponte recorded three multi-hit outings as UMES went 1-2 over the weekend. The junior first baseman went 7-for-13 (.538) while scoring three runs and driving in six more along with hitting a pair of doubles. 

"One of the reasons we recruited Diego is that he is known to be an offensive spark plug," said UMES Head Coach Danny Acosta. "He carried it throughout the fall and showed us what he can do. It is great to have him producing as we are used to seeing."

In the Hawks' 14-7 win over the Tigers, Aponte batted .500 and added four RBI to lead UMES to its first victory of the year. In the top of the fourth, Aponte hit the go-ahead RBI single to give the Hawks the lead for good. The Bayamón, Puerto Rico native posted a 1.264 OPS during the series. 

Additionally, he became the first Hawk to ever win NEC Player of the Week honors since UMES joined the NEC in 2023. 

Aponte was also the fourth Hawk to be named an NEC Prime Performer alongside his teammates Wilfredo Morales, Ansel Carson, and Ryan Davis.

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