Two Temps Have Big Weeks

(Rochester Minn.) – As some Future Honkers wrap up their colligate seasons, the Northwoods League opener is just three weeks away. Here is a quick look back on how some future Honkers performed.

Preston Jones (OF) – Oregon State (35-7-1)
Preston Jones has been a steady contributor for the No. 3 ranked Beavers. Jones hit .333 over three games played. He scored one run, had three RBIs and stole a base as Oregon State defeated Oregon then won two games against Washington State and tied the third. Jones is hitting .291, has scored 24 runs and has stolen three bases. Oregon State continues play today at Oregon.

Jaylon McLaughlin (INF) – Nevada (25-19)
Jaylon McLaughlin had a solid week for the Wolfpack. The 2016 Mets draft pick hit .300 in a three-game sweep of Fresno State. McLaughlin also drove in a run and had a double. The sophomore is hitting .268 over 24 games played. He has swiped five bags and has scored 12 runs. Nevada continues play today hosting the University of San Francisco at 3 p.m.

Drew Slade (LHP) – Ripon (12-20)
Drew Slade turned in an excellent outing in an extra innings win for Ripon. The lefty tossed seven innings surrendering just two earned runs while whiffing six compared to just two walks. Ripon finished the regular season with the 8^th best record in the Midwest Conference. Slade finished the year with a 3.26 ERA over 47 innings of work. He compiled a 1-3 record and struck out 39.

Reed Hjelle (INF) – Minnesota-Crookston (24-27)
Reed Hjelle played a big part in a four-game sweep of Minnesota-Duluth. The Minn. native hit .600, roped three doubles and hit a solo home run. Hjelle came around to score five times and had three RBIs. Hjelle has been a hit machine this spring posting a conference leading .439 batting average. Hjelle also led the conference in doubles (19), hits (79), home runs (10) and on-base percentage (.507). Minnesota-Crookston has concluded regular season play and finished 13^th in the final standings.

Pete’s Pick of The Week

Benjamin Sems (INF) – Kansas (22-25)
Benjamin Sems had a big week for the Jayhawks. The sophomore hit .357 and showed off some power launching his second home run of the year and driving two doubles. Sems came around to score four times and drove in two runs. Sems is now hitting .252, has scored 19 runs and has 24 RBIs. Kansas begins a three-game series Friday against Kansas State.