Horizon League Baseball Players of the Week (April 3)

INDIANAPOLIS – UIC’s Reid Birlingmair took a perfect game into the seventh inning and a no-hitter into the ninth and has been named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week. Andrew Kendrick of Youngstown State is this week’s Batter of the Week after he blasted three home runs, including two in one game, and posted a 1.273 slugging percentage to lead all league players last week.

BATTER OF THE WEEK | ANDREW KENDRICK, YOUNGSTOWN STATE | JUNIOR | FIRST BASE | SPRINGFIELD, MO.
Kendrick hit three home runs to go along with a .455 AVG / .571 OBP / 1.273 SLG split in three games last week. During the series opener at Northern Kentucky, he hit a solo homer to go along with single and run scored. The junior first baseman sent two over the fence in the second game of the series, including a three-run shot, in the Penguins’ win. The slugger drew two intentional walks in the series finale.
This is the third Batter of the Week honor for Kendrick, who leads the league in home runs (11) and RBI (25).

2017 Batters of the Week
Feb. 20 – Andrew Kendrick, Youngstown State
Feb. 27 – Andrew Kendrick, Youngstown State
March 6 – Dalton Varsho, Milwaukee
March 13 – Lorenzo Arcuri, Youngstown State
March 20 – Jake Richmond, Northern Kentucky
March 27 – Scott Ota, UIC
April 3 – Andrew Kendrick, Youngstown State

PITCHER OF THE WEEK | REID BIRLINGMAIR | UIC | SOPHOMORE | RHP | NORMAL, ILL.
Birlingmair fired a complete game shutout against the Milwaukee Panthers on April 1, helping UIC to clinch its third series victory in Horizon League play.

The sophomore was simply dominant on the mound as he was PERFECT through 6.2 innings before issuing a walk to Daulton Varsho. Birlingmair carried the no-hitter into the bottom of the ninth inning. Though he allowed two singles, he preserved the 5-0 shutout and helped the Flames to a doubleheader sweep Saturday.

Birlingmair struck out seven on Saturday and walked only Varsho in his first career complete game.

2017 Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 20 – Danny Sexton, Wright State
Feb. 27 – Connor Ryan, UIC
March 6 – Zane Collins, Wright State
March 13 – Jake Dahlberg, UIC
March 20 – Zane Collins, Wright State
March 27 – Danny Sexton, Wright State
April 3 – Reid Birlingmair, UIC