2014 Dutchmen Justin Brock (Franklin Pierce) makes a throw.
Jack Weitlispach, Robert Morris- The first ever three-year Dutchmen player helped Robert Morris to a perfect 7-0 week, including five conference wins. His week began with a two-RBI performance on Monday, and then added an RBI double in a conference game on Saturday. He also scored the game-winning run in Saturday’s first game, and then went 4-for-5 with a run batted in in the second game of the doubleheader. Through 30 games, Wietlispach is hitting .350 with 17 runs batted in. Robert Morris’ eight game winning streak has put the Eagles in first place in the North Division of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Hunter Boose, Georgia Regents- The 2015 Dutchmen signee hit .353 this past week for Georgia Regents, including two multi-hit performances in four games. On Tuesday, Boose went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Over the weekend, Boose added two more RBIs in the series opener on an eighth inning single. He finished his week with a 2-for-4 performance in a 17-7 victory over Flagler in the series finale, driving in a run with a fifth inning single. Boose has made 28 starts this season for GRU, good for second on the team.
James Locklear, Rider- Locklear, who played for the Dutchmen in 2014, helped his Rider Broncs to a 2-1 series win over defending regular season MAAC champion Canisius, as well as a midweek win over Delaware State. Locklear came off the bench and recorded a sacrifice fly in the win over Delaware State, and then started all three weekend games. In the opener, Locklear slapped three singles, which turned into three runs scored in a 7-5 win. He then went 2-for-4 in the second game, scoring another two runs and driving one in on a seventh-inning single. Despite a loss in the finale, the outfielder scored a run and drove another in. Over the four games, Locklear hit .429 and currently sits second on the team in batting average.
Justin Brock, Franklin Pierce- Brock had a monster week for Franklin Pierce, belting four home runs over five games and driving in 12 runs. Brock’s performance led the Ravens to a 5-0 week, and Franklin Pierce currently sits at 26-2. The 2014 Dutchmen’s week to remember began on Tuesday, when Brock hit two home runs- two-run shots in both the third and seventh innings. He also drove in a run in the eighth inning via hit by pitch. Then on Wednesday, Brock added a solo home run to go with a two-run single, leading the Ravens to a 17-7 victory. His offensive explosion culminated on Saturday, as Brock drove in three runs early in the win, including two on a double. His offense ended with a seventh-inning inside-the-park homer, finishing his four-homer performance. Brock’s four home runs place him second on the team.
Tyler Fries, Wilmington- Fries, who wore the Dutchmen colors in 2014, continued his dominance at the back end of the Wilmington bullpen, earning three saves and a victory in four appearances last week. Fries allowed one run over three innings last Monday, and earned the victory when his Wilmington teammates scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Fries would work a scoreless inning to earn his sixth and seventh saves of the campaign, allowing just one base-runner over the two innings. Fries then earned his eighth save on Saturday, working 1.1 innings with two strikeouts. Fries has been spectacular this season, recording a 1.06 ERA over 17 innings.
Anthony Marks, Coastal Carolina- The 2013 Dutchmen outfielder has been a major reason Coastal Carolina currently sits in the national top 20. Marks had another outstanding week, going 7-for-12. He also drew five walks, giving him an on-base percentage north of .700 for the week. His best game of the weekend was a 2-for-3 performance in a 12-3 victory over Longwood. On Friday, he scored three runs and drove another in on a single in the fourth inning. Marks also drove a run in earlier in the week, in a 10-4 victory at Wake Forest. He scored seven runs total for the week, and leads the Chanticleers in numerous offensive categories.
Trevor Lacosse, Bryant- Lacosse earned his first victory of the season on Friday, tossing eight shutout innings in a 6-0 triumph at Villanova. Lacosse, who called Albany his summer home in 2012, allowed just five hits, all of which were singles, and struck out four hitters. The lefty did not walk any of the 29 batters he faced, and tossed 69 of his 103 pitches for strikes. Lacosse’s 3.21 ERA is second best for the Bulldogs, and his nine walks allowed in 28 innings is the best ratio on the team. Bryant begins conference play this weekend at Central Connecticut State.
Michael Jurgella, St. Cloud State- Jurgella, who played for the Dutchmen in 2012, continued his hitting prowess for the 28-2 Huskies of St. Cloud State. Jurgella hit a pair of home runs last week, driving in five of his eight total runs via the long ball. Jurgella either scored a run or drove one in in all six of St. Cloud State’s games last week, all victories. His homers were a two-run bomb in the first inning of a 5-0 win over Minnesota State, and a three-run shot in the fifth inning of a 7-0 triumph over Wayne State. Jurgella has been the leader of a Husky offense averaging roughly eight runs a game, as he leads the team in hits, homers, on-base percentage, walks, and extra-base hits.
