(Rochester, Minn.) – The future Honkers wrapped up the end of March. They are another week closer to the 2017 Northwoods League opener. Kenyon Yovan picked up two saves for the Ducks, Jordan Hart and Griffin Neuer hit home runs, and Blake Workman took down UC Riverside. Here is the recap of the week.
Zeke Pinkham (C) – #2 Louisville (24-3)
Tied 1-1 in the top of the second inning against #16 Virginia, Pinkham grounded out to the first basemen, which allowed the go-ahead run to score. Zeke also walked in the game. Louisville defeated the Cavaliers 4-3. Pinkham is batting .200 in 12 games. He has made the most of his swings, collecting five RBIs off five hits. The Cardinals host rival Kentucky for a single game before Wake Forest makes the trip to Louisville this weekend.
Morgan McCullough (INF) – Oregon (18-8)
McCullough went 3-for-4 in a 9-6 win over BYU. He finished with a double, two runs, two RBIs, and a stolen base. In a tied game in the eighth inning, Morgan reached on a fielder’s choice and scored the go-ahead run. McCullough is batting .226 with 12 runs scored and 16 walks.
Ryan Thompson (RHP) – Illinois (9-16)
Thompson made his only appearance of the week in a win over Indiana State. Ryan entered the game in the seventh inning with a 3-run lead. He threw a clean frame, holding the lead on no hits, a walk, and a strikeout. Thompson is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA on the season. In three of his last five appearances, he has held the opposition scoreless. Tonight, the Illini will take on Missouri at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill. For the upcoming weekend, Illinois returns to Big Ten play with a 3-run game road series versus Michigan.
Jordan Hart (OF) – Minn. State Mankato (19-4)
Hart started all six games in right field for Minnesota State Mankato. He scored doubled and scored a run in a 11-9 win over Winona State. The next day, he hit a solo home run with a walk to lead the Mavericks to a 2-0 win. Hart is batting .341 in 23 games. He has seven double with 22 runs. Mankato hosts Concordia-St. Paul for two games before a four-game series at Minot State.
Cameron Aufderheide (RHP) – Colorado Springs (16-15)
Cam appeared in game two of Monday’s doubleheader against Colorado Mines. He inherited a runner with no outs in the fourth inning. Aufderheide went three full innings to pick up his third win of the season. One run scored on three hits, but the Mountain Lions picked up the win 7-6. Cam is 3-3 with a 8.37 ERA. He has 14 strikeouts with five walks. Colorado Springs travels to Denver, Colo. this weekend to face Regis University and MSU Denver.
Brad Pluschkell (INF) – UC-Davis (8-13)
The Aggies’ third baseman took on future Honker Katir Prieto and Cal. State Northridge last weekend. Plushkell went 2-for-4 in an 8-2 win on Friday. He scored twice and brought in another run in the game. He that performance up by reaching base three times (single, two walks) in Saturday’s loss. Brad is batting .200 in 21 games. He has scored five runs and brought in five more. UC Davis hosts Sacramento State for a single game later today before a road series at #12 Cal. State Fullerton.
Eddie Mathis (RHP) – Bellarmine (18-10)
Mathis earned the win in his fifth straight start in a 15-5 win over McKendree on Friday. Eddie pitched 7.0 innings, giving up 5 runs (all earned) on 11 hits. He struck out four batters with no walks. He has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last six starts. Mathis is 5-2 on the season with a 3.61 ERA. He has 34 strikeouts with 11 walks. The Knights host Kentucky Wesleyan for a doubleheader later today. They will head on the road for four games against Saint Joseph’s College.
Mike Echavia (OF/DH) – Nevada
Echavia had another productive week in the three-hole for the Wolfpack. He started all five games for the week, four in right field and one as the designated hitter. In Saturday’s 9-2 win over future Honker David Noworyta and Hawaii. Mike led the charge for Nevada, breaking a 2-2 tie in the eighth with an RBI double. He finished the night 4-for-5 with a run and 3 RBI. Over the entire week, Echavia batted 7-for-20 (.350) with four runs, four RBIs, a double, and a walk. He is batting .296 on the season. Nevada plays an exhibition game against the MiLB Triple-A Reno Aces later today. The Wolfpack will play a single game against St. Mary’s on Wednesday before a road series at San Diego State this weekend.
Blake Workman (RHP) – #12 Cal State Fullerton
The Titan right-hander had another great week for nationally-ranked Cal State Fullerton. Blake worked the final two innings of Friday’s loss to UC Riverside. Down 2-3, he kept the team close with two scoreless innings, only allowing a hit with a strikeout. The Titans couldn’t overcome the deficit and lost 2-3. Workman picked up his third win of the season after throwing 1.2 scoreless innings in a 15-2 win over UC Riverside on Sunday. He gave up a lone hit with three strikeouts. Blake is 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA with 26 strikeouts. He has yet to give up an earned run in conference play in 3.2 innings. The Titans host San Diego later tonight before a 3-game series versus UC Davis this weekend.
Griffin Neuer (OF) – Bellarmine (18-10)
Neuer doubled and scored twice, a part of a 15-5 game one win over McKendree University, The Knights’ left fielder returned in game two by hitting a three-run home run, leading Bellarmine to a 5-0 win. Griffin batted 4-for-16 (.250) in the series. He is fourth on the team with a .351 batting average and leads the team in runs scored (tied) and total bases.
Highlight Player of the Week
Kenyon Yovan (RHP/INF) – Oregon (18-8)
Kenyon picked up two more saves for the Oregon Ducks this week. He pitched a perfect ninth inning against Portland with a strikeout to secure the 1-0 victory. He collected his tenth save of the season at BYU on Monday. Yovan threw the final two frames, giving up a run (unearned) on one hit. Through 16.0 innings, Kenyon has yet to surrender an earned run. Kenyon also went 1-for-4 from the plate. The Ducks next play UC Irvine for a three-game series this weekend.
