LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced its baseball athletes of the week. In the West, Slippery Rock’s Michael Kitko was named Athlete of the Week while his teammate Joey Purcell, alongside Seton Hill’s Brandon Bergert, were selected as Co-Pitchers of the Week. In the East, Millersville’s Keegan Soltis (Athlete) and Carson Kulina (Pitcher) earned the honors.
Western Division Athlete of the Week
Michael Kitko
Slippery Rock
Outfield
Sophomore
Houtzdale, Pa. / Moshannon Valley
MKitko led Slippery Rock to a 2-1 record last week as SRU won a three-game series with Saint Anselm. Over three games, Kitko hit .455 (5-for-11) with three runs scored, two home runs and five RBI while slugging 1.091 with a .500 on-base percentage. Kitko had hits in all three games, but it was his efforts in The Rock’s 5-0 nine-inning victory over the Hawks that truly stood out. In addition to going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, one home run, one double and two RBI at the plate in the win, Kitko also pitched the final two innings of what was a combined no-hitter with teammate Joey Purcell. Kitko posted four strikeouts and surrendered just one walk in his two innings pitched in relief of Purcell.
Western Division Co-Pitcher of the Week
Joey Purcell
Slippery Rock
Pitcher
Junior
Holland, Pa. / Council Rock South
Slippery Rock’s Joey Purcell produced one of the top performances by a PSAC West pitcher this season last week. Purcell pitched seven of nine innings in a combined no-hitter for SRU in its 5-0 win against Saint Anselm. Purcell threw seven nearly flawless innings before turning the game over to teammate Michael Kitko, who closed out the nine-inning no-hitter. In addition to facing just two batters over the minimum with a pair of walks in his seven innings of work, Purcell also matched a career-high with nine strikeouts. The no-hitter was the first for SRU since 2022. Purcell played the largest role of the only no-hitter thrown in the PSAC West this week and one of just two nine-inning shutouts across the division.
Western Division Co-Pitcher of the Week
Brandon Bergert
Seton Hill
Pitcher
Senior
Canton, Oh. / Glenoak
Bergert threw 8 scoreless innings in the Griffins 6-0 win over Grand Valley State. He allowed just one hit, an infield single. Bergert struck out 8 and walked just 1 on 93 pitches. He did not allow a runner past second base in the outing.
Eastern Division Athlete of the Week
Keegan Soltis
Millersville
Third Base
Junior
Philipsburg, Pa. / Philipsburg-Osceola
Soltis led Millersville to a series sweep of Mansfield by going 8 for 10 with eight runs, seven RBIs, two doubles, two homers and five walks. Soltis posted a .867 on base percentage and a 1.600 slugging percentage in the series. Soltis reached base at least twice in each game. On Saturday, he went 3 for 3 with four RBIs, a double and two homers in game one and then went 3 for 3 with three walks, six runs and an RBI in game.
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Week
Carson Kulina
Millersville
Pitcher
Graduate Student
Hummelstown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin
Kulina pitched Millersville to a win in game one of the series against Mansfield by tossing a complete-game shutout. Over seven innings, Kulina allowed just three hits, issued only one walk while striking out a career-high 10 batters.