DURHAM, N.C. (NCCUEaglePride.com) - North Carolina Central University sophomore Etienne Farquharson (Inagua, Bahamas) was named The Banks Law Firm NCCU Student-Athlete of the Month for May 2010.  The catcher is being recognized for his not only outstanding achievements on the field for the Diamond Eagles, but in the classroom, and in the community.

Farquharson saved his best performance for last in a four-game series against future MEAC foe University of Maryland Eastern Shore as he hit a jaw-dropping 10-for-14 with seven runs scored, two doubles, and four RBIs.  Throughout the weekend, Farquharson's batting average was a staggering .714 and jolted his numbers in his first season in maroon and gray to .308, putting him second on the team behind Akeem Hood (Raleigh, N.C.).  To make things even more astounding, Farquharson entered weekend play with a batting average of .219.

“Since we brought back this program, I can promise you there has never been a performance to match Etienne's against Maryland Eastern Shore,” said NCCU head baseball coach Dr. Henry White.  “His focus at the plate was as good as I have ever seen for four straight games in all my years of coaching.  He is getting better and better each time out and he is a great kid on and off the field.  For him to get this month's award is a true testament to his improvement the last part of the season.”

Not only did he excel in the last portion of the baseball season, but the business major managed to dominate in the classroom as well, sporting a 4.0 grade point average in both the fall and spring semesters.

To further delve into how hot the sophomore's bat was down-the-stretch, following NCCU's 5-4 win at Norfolk State on April 28, his batting average was a meager .193 after going 0-for-3.  From that point on he went 13-for-21 at the dish, racking up a batting average of .619 in the last seven games.

Farquharson wrapped up his first season at NCCU tied for second on the roster with two home runs, while also finishing second on the team with two sacrifice bunts.  He did all this at the end of the 2010 season when injuries to other teammates pressed him into full-time duty behind the plate.  He made 20 starts behind the plate, while entering as a sub on 14 other occasions.  He finished the year 8-for-20 (.400) against left-handed pitchers, batted .333 (15-for-45) with runners on base, was a surprising 10-for-30 (.333) with runners in scoring position, and went 9-for-27 (.333) with two outs on the board.  His 12 RBIs put him at sixth on the roster at season's end.