Valparaiso's Gaedele, McCormick sweep baseball player of the week

INDIANAPOLIS – Valparaiso junior Kyle Gaedele had been named Horizon League Player of the week, while senior teammate Damon McCormick has been selected as the Pitcher of the Week for the period of April 18-24.

Valparaiso (17-22, 9-3 Horizon) went 3-1 last week, picking up two wins on the road.  The Crusaders took the series versus Hawaii in front of a sell-out crowd (4, 494) at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu.   Their single loss of the series to the Rainbows was their first loss in the last 12 games.   

Gaedele went 3-for-5 with a homer and 3 RBI in the opener versus UH and 2-for-3 with a triple in the finale.  He recorded a .786 slugging and .619 on base percentage as the junior scored six runs for the Crusaders.  He was also walked five times against Hawaii, including two intentional.

McCormick was equally impressive from the mound, pitching eight solid innings and picking up a win against the Rainbows. 

The right-hander, a native of Louisville, Ky., struck out 10 Rainbows to help the Crusaders win the series against a top-120 RPI team, and did not allow a hit after a lead-off triple in the third against Hawaii.   

Hawaii is currently leading the WAC with only one conference loss (7-1) and boasts a 22-17 overall record this season.

Valparaiso will host Purdue on Tuesday at 4pm ET and will welcome Butler for a double-header on Saturday, scheduled at 1pm.

Other Horizon League top performers (April 18-24)
Patrick Guinane, Butler, Fr, IF -- 0-3 record, 3GP, 8-for-13, 2 R, 4 RBI 1 2B, 1 HR
Jared Wagoner, Butler, Sr, RHP -- 1 App, 0-3, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 6 SO
Anthony Sambula, Cleveland State, Sr, IF -- 0-3 record, 3GP, 5-for-8, 1 R
Coty Bates, Cleveland State, Sr, RHP -- 2 App, 0-3, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 7 SO
Chad Pierce, Milwaukee, Sr, RHP -- 1 App, 1-3, 9.0 IP, 7 H, 9 SO
Ryan Shober, UIC, So, IF -- 3-1 record, 4GP, 6-for-12, 5 R, 1 RBI, 2 2B, 1 3B
Eric Wyman, UIC, Sr, LHP -- 1 App, 1-3, 4.1 IP, 1 W, 4 H, 7 SO
Tristan Moore, Wright State, Jr, OF -- 4-0 record, 4GP, 7-for-19, 3 R, 7 RBI, 2 2B, 1 HR
Michael Woytek, Wright State, Sr, RHP -- 1 App, 4-0, 6.0 IP, 1 W,  3 H, 1 SO
Craig Goubeaux, Youngstown State, Fr, C -- 2-2 record, 4GP, 4-for-9,  2 RBI, 2 2B
Robert Switka, Youngstown State, So, RHP -- 1 App, 2-2, 7.0 IP, 1 W,  4 H, 8 SO