In a week filled with extraordinary performances, Cullman’s Will Morrison stood out above the rest.

The Cullman pitching phenom and Mississippi State commit tossed a four-hit shutout (eight strikeouts) in a 7-0 victory over Albertville last Thursday, which secured the Bearcats a postseason spot for a 17th straight year.

Morrison wasn’t done, though.

On Tuesday, the junior hurled nine innings in a 1-0 win versus Brewer, surrendering only two hits and striking out 15 batters. He threw 94 pitches, 73 of which were strikes. 

Even more impressive? He matched Dakota Bennett, an Arkansas signee who allowed just two hits and struck out 18 Cullman hitters, pitch for pitch to keep his team in the game.

There’s no doubt about it — Morrison is The Times’ Athlete of the Week.

Teammates Owen Lovell and Jacob Heatherly also helped the Black and Gold cap off a sporty 4-0 stretch with a combined seven hits and seven RBIs at the plate.

Athlete of the Week, which is sponsored by Bill Smith Buick GMC, is currently open to any spring-sport athlete. Nominations are often encouraged and can be submitted to jwinfrey@cullmantimes.com with the athlete’s name, school and statistics-accomplishments that make them a worthy candidate.

See below for other notable performances from this past week:

% Cody Anderson, Cold Springs: Threw a five-inning perfect game (six strikeouts) in a 14-0 win over St. Bernard. Had 11 hits and 12 RBIs in three games.

% Ayden Alexander, Jake Abbott and Austin Franklin, Cold Springs: Combined for 20 hits and 13 RBIs in three games.

% Jared Stanley, Cold Springs: Won three gold medals at the April Fools Invitational.

% Owen Lovell and Jacob Heatherly, Cullman: Combined for seven hits and seven RBIs in four games.

% Levi Thomas, Cullman: Pitched eight innings (six hits and 11 strikeouts) in a 4-3 win over Northridge.

% Kade Williams, Cullman: Pitched seven innings (two hits and 10 strikeouts) in a 7-0 win over Albertville.

% McKensi Burks, Hannah Morton, Bailey Swann, Tiffani Schwaiger, Olivia Schwaiger and Meredith McPherson: Combined for 60 hits, 45 RBIs and seven home runs in eight games.

% Ragan Ashley, Tyler Ball, Lane Schnittker, Clay Lanier and Riley Carroll, Fairview: Combined for 18 hits and 10 RBIs in four games.

% Branen Hurst, Isaac Holmes, Dalton Rice, Alex Campbell and Gaiven Cruce, Hanceville: Combined for 35 hits and 20 RBIs in five games

% Riley Hooper, Katie Burnham, Taylor Tankersley, Kolby Holcombe, Ciera James and Maddie Folds, Holly Pond: Combined for 44 hits and 29 RBIs in the Cullman County Softball Tournament.

% Matt Cahoon, Holly Pond: Won three gold medals at the April Fools Invitational.

% Corbin Barnett, Cody Stewart, Derrick Ransom, Travis Hopper and Dakota McGraw, Vinemont: Combined for 29 hits and 15 RBIs in six games.

% Levi Allred, Kolton Easterwood, Matthew McDonald and Hunter Persall, West Point: Combined for 22 hits and nine RBIs in three games.

% Hunter Appling, West Point: Won two gold medals at the Spain Park Classic. Won three gold medals at Corner Invitational.

% Courtney Blackwood, Molly Pendley, Olivia Ball, Makayla Brown, Lillie Burdette and Carlie Wilkins, West Point: Combined for 53 hits and 36 RBIs in eight games.