Breathtaking week for nation's RBI-leader David Thompson: 2 doubles, triple, 4 HRs (2 grand slams), 13 RBI, 23 total bases.

What a refreshing, feel-good story for an outstanding young man. 

For the second straight week, University of Miami junior inielder David Thompson has been honored by the Atlantic Coast Conference as Player of the Week for his extraordinary hitting.

 Thompson, who plays third base and first base, sat out 32 games last season because of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, defined by the Mayo Clinic as "a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and first rib (thoracic outlet) become compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers."

A Miami Westminster Christian graduate, Thompson had to have a rib removed, which is obviously very painful. He still ended up hitting .278 with six doubles and 15 RBI for the season after hitting .286 with 46 RBI as a freshman.

Thompson shared his most recent ACC Player of the Week honors with FSU outfielder DJ Stewart.

Talk about an amazing four-game week. Thompson ripped four home runs over that span, including grand slams against Army and Wake Forest. He set a career high with seven RBI in Friday's victory over Wake Forest.

In doing so, Thompson helped lead Miami to an 18-7 record (6-3 ACC) and No. 13 national ranking by Baseball America.

Thompson extended his hitting streak to a career-best 14 games. He leads the nation with 39 RBI and ranks second in the ACC in home runs with eight, and has the second-highest league slugging percentage (.732) and second-most total bases (71).

The Hurricanes return to Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field at 6 p.m. Wednesday for a game against Florida Gulf Coast.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN