(Rochester, Minn.) – It is exactly one week before opening day at Mayo Field and some future Honkers are finishing their seasons while others are batting as they head to the postseason. Mike Echavia had a monster series against the MWC-leading New Mexico, Jordan hit two postseason home runs, and Kenyon Yovan picked up his 14th save of the season. Here is a recap of last week’s action:
Ryan Thompson (RHP) – Illinois (23-28)
Thompson entered the week without giving up an earned run in five of his last six appearances. The Illini hosted Iowa for their final series of the season. Ryan appeared in Thursday’s 5-6 loss to the Hawkeyes, throwing a scoreless inning with a walk. He returned the following day in game two, throwing two innings and gave up two runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Illinois did not qualify for postseason play. Thompson finished the season with a 2-2 record and 4.89 ERA in 38.2 innings.
Tristan Hildebrandt (INF) – #17 Cal State Fullerton (33-19)
The Titans shortstop appeared in one game this week’s series at Cal. State Northridge. Tristan was placed into the lineup in the seventh inning and went one-for-two on the night with a RBI double and run in a 16-7 win over the Matadors. Hildebrandt is batting .333 in conference play in seven games with a home run and three RBI. Cal State Fullerton hosts Honkers’ Pitching Coaching Josh Frye and #9 Long Beach State for their final series of the regular season.
Kenyon Yovan (RHP/INF) – Oregon (29-23)
Kenyon got playing time on the mound and as a designated hitter. He threw in three games for a total of 3.0 scoreless innings, only allowing one hit with a strikeout. His final appearance locked up a 3-2 win at USC for his 14th save of the season. He started two games against the Trojans as the Ducks’ designated hitter, going 0-for-8 from the plate, but walking and scoring once. Yovan holds a 2.08 ERA and .132 batting average. Oregon ends the regular season with a home series against UCLA this weekend.
Johnathan Fleek (INF) – Western Illinois (18-30)
Fleek started at second base for the Leathernecks in their weekend series against Oral Roberts. Western Illinois dropped the first two games of the series and the finale was cancelled. Johnathan went 3-for-8 (.375) in the series with a run, RBI, and a stolen base. Fleek is batting .325 on the season in 45 games. Western Illinois, as a #4 seed, will have a rematch against top-seeded Oral Roberts in the Summit League Tournament starting on Wednesday.
Morgan McCullough (INF) – Oregon (29-23)
The Ducks’ second baseman put up two multi-hit games over the week, guiding Oregon to a series victory at USC. After two hits against Loyola Maramount, McCullough went three-for-five with a home run, two runs scored, and three RBIs in a 6-2 win against the Trojans on Friday. In the series finale on Sunday, he collected another hit with a run, RBI, and two walks in a 10-6 win. McCullough is hitting .272 in 48 games.
Honkers’ in Postseason Play
Chris Ceballos (C) – #2 Orange Coast College (36-12)
The #1 seed Orange Coast College fell to #5 seed El Camino in three games. Their season ended after making it to the third round of the CCCAA Tournament. Chris played for Orange Coast in game one 5-4 win, but did not have an at-bat in the game. The Pirates dropped the final two games 8-10 and 5-9 to lose the series. Ceballos batted .176 on the season with two double, two home runs and nine RBIs in 34 games.
Garrett Cobb (RHP) – Seminole State (41-16)
Seminole State battled in the NJCAA South Central District Tournament this week after capturing the Region II Championship last week. The Trojans started the tournament with a 10-13 loss to Delgado, but recovered to with 2-1 over #3 Crowder College the next day to advance to the District Championship. Seminole State face Crowder again in the championship, but fell 2-7 to end their season. Cobb did not play in any of the games. He finished with a 0-1 record and 5.50 ERA in 18.0 innings with 25 strikeouts.
Eddie Mathis (RHP) & Griffin Neuer (OF) – Bellarmine (34-21)
Bellarmine fell in two games in the Division II Midwest Region this week. The Knights’ ace Eddie Mathis went 8.0 innings in the tournament opener versus Drury, but Bellarmine fell 2-3. Mathis took his fourth loss of the season, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Bellarmine dropped the next game the following day against Kentucky Wesleyan 2-10. Griffin Neuer went 0-for-7 in the tournament. Mathis was named second-team all-Midwest Region by NCBWA. Neuer finished with a .286 batting average with four home runs. Mathis earned a 9-4 record with a 2.74 ERA.
Jordan Hart (OF) – #7 Minnesota State Mankato (46-11)
Jordan Hart blasted two home runs this week in the Division II Central Region Tournament, but the Mavericks season ended with a 2-3 loss to Central Oklahoma on Sunday. Jordan hit two-run shots in Minnesota State’s wins against Central Oklahoma on Thursday and Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday. The Mavericks lost to NSIC foe #20 St. Cloud State and Central Oklahoma. He went 5-for-15 (.333) over the tournament. Hart finished with a.356 batting average in 57 games with 73 hits, 12 home runs, and 49 RBIs.
Highlight Player of the Week
Mike Echavia (OF) – Nevada (19-34)
The Wolfpack’s right fielder destroyed New Mexico this week, combining to go 11-for-15 (.733) over the series. Echavia collected two hits and two runs in a 5-2 opener win. The next night on Friday, he went five-for-five with a triple, home run, three runs scored, and seven total RBIs. Echavia collected another four hits on Saturday with a double, an RBI, two runs. Mike is batting .306 on the season in 52 games. Nevada earned the #4 seed and will rematch with #1 seed New Mexico on Thursday.
