Lien, Allard claim weekly honors

Outfielder Connor Lien and LHP Kolby Allard have been named Mississippi Farm Bureau Player and Pitcher of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 16.
Lien, 23, posted a .350 batting average and an .850 slugging percentage in six games during the week. In addition to two home runs, the outfielder added two doubles, a triple and six RBI. Lien missed a large portion of the 2016 season after exiting the M-Braves game on opening day last year. He returned after the all-star break and finished the season with a .233 average in 64 contests. A native of Windermere, FL, Lien was selected by the Braves in the 12th round of the 2012 draft. 

Allard, 19, tossed five shutout innings and surrendered just three hits through five frames at Tennessee in Thursday's start. He walked two and struck out three. The southpaw is 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts thus far on the season. Allard went 8-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 16 starts between R-Danville and Low-A Rome last year. He ranked fifth among all Braves farmhands in starters ERA and ranked tied for seventh in wins last season. A native of San Clemente, CA, Allard was selected by the Braves in the first round of the 2015 draft.