Youngstown State's Dosch and Valparaiso's Kowalczyk Named Baseball Players of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS -- Youngstown State junior Drew Dosch and Valparaiso junior Karch Kowalczyk have been named Horizon League Baseball Players of the Week for the period of April 15-21.

Dosch picked up Batter of the Week accolades for the second time this season after batting .458 at the plate last week. The junior had hits in all five Youngstown State games last week, including multiple hits in three of the games.

In non-conference action, he was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored as the Penguins won at Toledo, 13-4, on Wednesday. He started the week with a 1-for-4 effort at Pittsburgh as YSU’s comeback fell short.

In the weekend series against UIC, Dosch was 7-of-15 at the plate. He was 4-for-5 with three runs scored in YSU’s 12-7 win over UIC on Saturday and was 2-of-5 at the plate in the series-finale against the Flames.

Dosch’s batting average now stands at .324 on the season as the Canal Winchester, Ohio, native ranks in the top-10 in almost every League offensive category, including hits (48), runs scored (31), walks (32) and doubles (11) where he is the League-leader.

Kowalczyk won Pitcher of the Week for the first time this season after earning the save in Valpo’s win at ninth-ranked Arizona State on Sunday.

The junior from Peru, Ill., faced the heart of the Sun Devil lineup on Sunday, but gave up just one hit as the Crusaders defeated a top-10 ranked opponent for the second consecutive season. It was his fourth save of the season

Kowalczyk made two appearances earlier in the week, throwing a perfect eighth inning in Valpo’s 5-4 loss at Western Michigan on Tuesday and also pitched 1.1 innings of work, allowing just one hit, in Valpo’s loss to Arizona State on Saturday.

Kowalczyk, who sat out last season after elbow surgery, has a 0.0 ERA this season. He’s made 10 appearances out of the Valpo bullpen and has pitched 13.0 innings. He’s allowed just six hits, only one for extra bases, and has struck out nine while walking just two batters.

Other Horizon League Top Performers (Apr. 15-21)
John Coen, UIC (Jr., 2B) - Coen hit .455 last week as the Flames won three of their four contests. He was 5-for-9 with six RBIs in UIC’s series-victory against Youngstown State over the weekend.
Ian Lewandowski, UIC (Fr., RHP) - Lewandowski improved to 4-2 on the year with a win over Youngstown State. He went 8.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and seven hits, while striking out three.
Chris Manning, Valparaiso (Jr., OF) - Manning went 7-for-12 at the plate in Valpo’s series at #9 Arizona State. He scored five runs and recorded five RBIs against the Sun Devils. He raised his season batting average from .270 to .299.
Patrick O’Brien, Youngstown State (Jr., RHP) - O’Brien posted his fifth straight quality start and earned the win against UIC on Saturday.

Horizon League Batters of the Week
Feb. 11-17          Will Fadness, Milwaukee
Feb. 18-24          Alex Grunenwald, UIC
Feb. 25-Mar. 3    Drew Dosch, Youngstown State
Mar. 4-10            Alex Grunenwald, UIC
Mar. 11-17          Kieston Greene, Wright State
Mar. 18-24          Garrett Gray, Wright State
Mar. 25-31          Marcus Heath, Youngstown State
Apr. 1-7              Phil Lipari, Youngstown State
Apr. 8-14            Justin Kopale, Wright State
Apr. 15-21            Drew Dosch, Youngstown State

Horizon League Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 11-17          Tomas Michelson, UIC
Feb. 18-24          Robert Switka, Youngstown State
Feb. 25-Mar. 3    Joey Begel, UIC
Mar. 4-10            Cale Tassi, Milwaukee
Mar. 11-17         Jake Long, Milwaukee
Mar. 18-24         Jake Long, Milwaukee
Mar. 25-31         Jake Long, Milwaukee
Apr. 1-7            Patrick O’Brien, Youngstown State
Apr. 8-14           Tomas Michelson, UIC
Apr. 15-21           Karch Kowalczyk, Valparaiso