Jake Hanson (Valparaiso)
Jake Hanson, Valparaiso- Sunday proved to be a career day for the 2014 Dutchmen catcher. The redshirt junior drove in eight runs in Valpo's 17-2 victory over Oakland. Hanson went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, driving in runs on a two-run single, a three-run double, a two-run double, and a solo home run. The homer was his second of the season. In addition to his monsterous day on Sunday, Hanson also added a 2-for-2 day on Friday, driving in a run as the Cruasders rolled to a 15-7 win over Youngstown State.
Dylan D'Anna, Siena- The incoming Dutchmen pitcher was called upon three times for the Saints this past week, earning two saves and a win. His work began on Tuesday, as the freshman got the final two outs to hold off a rally from Binghamton and pick up his second save. On Thursday, D'Anna threw three scoreless innings in a 12-6 win over Iona, and earned his third save via the three-inning save rule. His stellar week concluded later that day, when he pitched the ninth and tenth innings in a 4-3 win.
Liam Conboy, Susquehanna- Conboy helped Susquehanna to a conference championship on Saturday, pitching the final 2.1 innings in the second game of the Landmark Conference title series. The 2015 Dutchmen righty struck out three with just two hits allowed, and earned the victory. The Crusaders will play in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, and are one win away from a school record.
Austin Goeke, Wagner- Wagner's ace, Goeke worked into the eighth inning to win his fifth game for the Seahawks on Thursday. He pitched 7.2 innings with two earned runs, and struck out six Sacred Heart hitters in a 7-2 win. The 2014 Dutchmen pitcher has had a stellar junior season, leading the Seahawks in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, and ERA among starters. Goeke pitched the first game of a four game series that Wagner would go on to sweep.
Anthony Marks, Coastal Carolina- The 2013 Dutchmen outfielder hit .385 in a three-game set with Charleston Southern, a series won by the No. 21 Chanticleers. Marks went 3-for-5 in the middle game of the set, driving in a run on an RBI single. He ended the series with three more RBIs, which came on a pair of RBI singles in a 6-0 win. From his spot at the top of the lineup, Marks is hitting .298 with 39 runs scored.
Jesse Cooper, Seton Hill- Cooper pitched twice in conference tournament action for the Griffins, picking up a pair of saves that extended Seton Hill's weekend. On Tuesday, the 2015 Dutchmen two-way player eliminated East Stroudsburg with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He then retired five straight batters to knock off West Chester later on Tuesday. Cooper's Griffins will play in the NCAA Tournament beginning this week.
Troy Montemayor, Baylor- Baylor's star closer raised his save total to 12 this past week with two more saves. Montemayor, who will pitch for the Dutchmen this season, pitched a flawless ninth inning on Friday for the Bears in a 4-3 win over No. 12 TCU. He then got the final two outs in Saturday's win over the Horned Frogs. Montemayor has pitched 22 times for Baylor this season, and currently boasts a miniscule 0.86 ERA over 21 innings.
James Davitt, Bryant- The No. 18 team in the nation continued rolling this week, as did the 2013 Dutchmen pitcher. Davitt worked into the eighth inning, allowing two earned runs on seven hits over 7.1 innings. The senior righty only walked one hitter in the 9-3 win over Central Connecticut, and increased his record to 6-2 on the season. The Bulldogs have won six of their last seven games, and currently sit at 39-10.
Ernie Clement, Virginia- Virginia won thier fourth consecutive ACC series, helped by the leadoff hitting Clement, a member of the 2014 Dutchmen. The second baseman hit safely in all three games of a series with Georgia Tech, led by a 3-for-6 performance on Saturday, where he scored two runs and drove in another. Clement's 55 runs scored and 77 hits lead the Cavaliers, who have risen to second in the ACC Coastal Division.
Drew Tolson, Baylor- Tolson, who was the Dutchmen Pitcher of the Year in 2014, earned his team-best fifth win in a 4-3 triumph over No. 12 TCU on Friday in Waco, Texas. The righty pitched seven innings with just two earned runs allowed and three strikeouts. Tolson's win helped the Bears to a series victory over the nationally ranked Horned Frogs.
Nick Cioffi, Saint Rose- In his final collegiate start, Cioffi shut down the No. 4 team in the nation. The senior allowed just one earned run in six innings on Thursday as the Golden Knights defeated Franklin Pierce 6-4. Albany's 2015 Pitcher of the Year was not involved in the decision, but kept the Ravens at bay to keep Saint Rose alive in the Northeast Ten tournament. Cioffi finished the season with a team-best four wins and 53 strikeouts.
Tyler Nelin, George Mason- Nelin recorded two multi-hit games during George Mason's series victory over La Salle. On Saturday, Nelin hit two singles from the three-hole in a 5-4 loss. He then drove in a run and scored another in a 3-for-4 effort on Sunday. For the series, the utility player who suited up for the Dutchmen in 2015 hit .455.
In addition, the Dutchmen wish to congratulate the following former and future players whose teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament at the Division II and III levels: Tyler Orris and Steven Ghiardi (Millersville), Jesse Cooper (Seton Hill), Justin Brock (Franklin Pierce), Brian Ruhm (Cal Baptist), Nick Jewett, Dylan McGee, Taylor Hoesen, and Michael Maul (Trinity U.), and Liam Conboy (Susquehanna).
