Valparaiso's Vavra, Milwaukee's Tassi Named Baseball Players of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS -- Valparaiso junior Tanner Vavra and Milwaukee junior Cale Tassi have been named Horizon League Baseball Players of the Week for the period of Feb. 20-26.

Vavra picked up Batter of the Week accolades after batting .583 at the plate in Valparaiso’s three-game series at fourth-ranked Arkansas. In the series finale on Sunday, Vavra opened the 10th inning with a double down the right field line and then scored the game-winning run on a two-out single by Will Hagel as the Crusaders won, 10-9. In Valpo’s win, Vavra went 3-for-5 and scored three runs. Vavra had a hit in every game of the series, including going 3-for-4 in Saturday’s game where the Razorbacks nipped the Crusaders, 4-3.

Tassi notched Pitcher of the Week honors after allowing only one run in 7.1 innings at Minnesota. He struck out seven, had allowed no earned runs and had given up just one free pass when he left the game in the eighth inning with the score tied at 1.

In Tassi’s two starts this season he has allowed only one earned run in 13.1 innings pitched for an ERA of 0.68.

Other Horizon League top performers (Feb. 20-26)
Jonathan Capasso, Milwaukee, Jr., OF - Capasso hit .438, including hitting a double, triple and home run in Milwaukee’s four-game split with Minnesota last weekend. In Milwaukee’s win on Saturday, he went 3-for-5 and tripled in the winning runs in the 10th inning.

Drew Dosch, Youngstown State, So., 3B -Dosch hit .400 and hit the first two home runs of his career in YSU’s four games last week. He also had a steal, scored four times and drove in two runs.

Billy Laing Butler, Jr., RHP - He pitched 5.0 innings for a win at UT-Martin. He struck out seven in getting his first win since 2010 after missing all of last season with an injury.

Brian Evak, UIC, Fr., RHP - Evak notched a win in his first career start, going 4.0 innings and allowing only one run in UIC’s win over Santa Clara.