O'Gara and Wagoner named Baseball Players of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Valparaiso junior Ryan O'Gara and Butler junior Jared Wagoner have been named Horizon League Baseball Players of the Week for the period of Feb. 22-28. The awards are the first ever for both individuals.

O'Gara picks up Batter of the Week accolades after going 9-for-16 (.563) with two doubles, one homer, four runs and seven RBI in three games last week. He also registered an .875 slugging percentage and .563 on-base percentage for the Crusaders.

The infielder, a native of Buffalo Grove, Ill., belted a three-run long ball in Saturday's 9-1 win over Richmond. He then recorded a sizzling 6-for-6 performance on Sunday at Jacksonville as Valparaiso collected 14 runs and 22 hits.

Wagoner notches Pitcher of the Week honors after allowing just three hits over seven scoreless innings in Friday's 9-3 win over NJIT. He issued just one walk while striking out four in his season debut for the Bulldogs.

The right-hander, a native of Vincennes, Ind., put just two runners in scoring position and retired 21 of the 25 batters he faced.

Valparaiso (1-5) heads to Winter Haven, Fla., for six non-conference games this week. Butler (1-3) is scheduled to host Indiana Tech on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.

O'Gara and Wagoner will become eligible for the Horizon League Network's "People's Choice" award, which is announced each Thursday afternoon. Log on to www.HorizonLeagueNetwork.tv to vote.

Other Horizon League top performers (Feb. 22-28)
Luke Duncan, Butler, Junior, INF -- 1-3 record, 4 GP, 6-for-12, 3 R, 1 RBI, 4 BB
Kyle Shaffer, Cleveland State, Senior, C -- 1-2 record, 3 GP, 7-for-14, 3 R, 8 RBI, 2 2B, 1 3B
Dan Buchholz, Milwaukee, Senior, INF -- 0-4 record, 4 GP, 6-for-16, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 1 BB
Steve McGuiggan, UIC, Junior, OF -- 0-3 record, 3 GP, 4-for-10, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B
Jon Gulbransen, Valparaiso, Junior, LHP -- 1 App, 1-0, 1.12 ERA, 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 SO
Jake Hibberd, Wright State, Sophomore, INF -- 0-3 record, 3 GP, 4-for-9, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 2 BB
Jacke Healey, Youngstown St., Senior, INF -- 1-2 record, 3 GP, 5-for-11, 5 R, 6 RBI, 1 2B, 2 HR, 1 BB