Valpo's Rutkowski & CSU's Toman Share Softball Player of the Week; Butler's Esparza Earns Pitcher of the Week Nod

Rutkowski helped Valparaiso (20-10, 6-0 Horizon) remain perfect in conference play as the Crusaders swept visiting Green Bay to go 3-1 last week. Toman’s Cleveland State (8-26, 1-5 Horizon) squad dropped all five of its games last week, with four of those defeats coming by one or two runs. Esparza led Butler (9-21, 3-3 Horizon) to a 4-2 week, including a series victory against Loyola.

 

Rutkowski tied Valpo’s single-season home run record with her 11th of the year, a walk-off shot to end the Crusaders’ 8-0 win over Green Bay in the series opener. In the second game of the day, the senior set a new Valpo single-season RBI record at 43 with a two-run double against the Phoenix

 

On the week, Rutkowski went 8-for-14 with six runs scored and nine RBI. Slugging 1.214 over the four games, Rutkowski clubbed a three-run homer earlier in the week in non-league action against Purdue.

 

Despite Cleveland State’s struggles, Toman could not be stopped at the plate, going 7-for-15 with five home runs and 11 RBI. With 14 long balls on the year, Toman leads the Horizon League. 

 

The senior had two multi-home run games, coming in a 10-9 setback at Robert Morris and in a 10-8 loss to Youngstown State. Three of her home runs came on Saturday against Youngstown State, when Toman hit a solo shot in game one of the doubleheader before belting a solo shot and a grand slam in the second game.

 

Returning from a hamstring injury, Esparza rejoined Butler’s rotation for the first time since March 3, starting four games during the week and posted three wins, allowing just one run and striking out 29.

 

The righthander tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout to lead Butler past Loyola, 2-0, in the teams’ series opener, striking out seven. Esparza helped clinch the series for the Bulldogs on Sunday, pitching the first four innings of Butler’s 4-0 victory over Loyola, giving up just two hits and striking out five.

 

Earlier in the week, Esparza threw the first four innings and picked up the win in Butler’s 8-1 decision at Michigan State, striking out seven and giving up just two hits. In her first game back from injury, she struck out 10 Eastern Illinois players, pitching four shutout innings.

 

All three teams will have midweek non-conference games on Wednesday, April 4, with Valparaiso traveling to Bowling Green, Cleveland State welcoming Niagara and Butler heading to Indiana State. The Vikings will host Wright State April 6-7 in Horizon League action, while the Bulldogs welcome UIC for a three-game series.

 

February 21: Vicky Rumph, Youngstown State

 

February 14: Alex Lagesse, Valparaiso

February 21: Casey Crozier, Youngstown State

February 28: Krystian DeWitt, Wright State

March 6: Breanna Fisher, Butler

March 13: Keali Engelkens, Loyola

March 20: Casey Crozier, Youngstown State

March 26: Brittany Gardner, Loyola

April 2: Jenny Esparza, Butler