LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced its second set of Baseball Athletes of the Week. In the East, West Chester's Caleb Strawhecker (Athlete of the Week) and East Stroudsburg's Evan Hughes (Pitcher of the Week) were selected. In the West, California's Connor Evans (Athlete) and Pitt-Johnstown's Jared Dowey (Pitcher) earned the honors.
Eastern Division Athlete of the Week
Caleb Strawhecker
West Chester
Catcher
Sophomore
West Grove, Pa. / Avon Grove
Strawhecker had an outstanding opening day at the plate for the West Chester University baseball team as the sophomore catcher was 5-for-8 (.625) at the dish in a two-game sweep of Indiana (Pa.) to open the season on Friday. Strawhecker had a pair of extra-base hits in these five hits, including a double and a solo home run early in the night cap, which helped give the Golden Rams an early lead. The sophomore scored three runs and drove in three more and ended the weekend with an otherworldly 1.750 OPS. He also successfully stole a base on his first attempt of the season.
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Week
Evan Hughes
East Stroudsburg
Starting Pitcher
Junior
Northampton, Pa. / Northampton
Hughes delivered a gem in the first half of ESU's doubleheader against Pitt-Johnstown, on Saturday, throwing five shutout innings against the Mountain Cats in the Warriors' 4-0 win. Picking up his second win of the season in as many appearances, Hughes struck out eight while only allowing four hits. After a routine first inning, Hughes also worked himself out of any potential trouble and shut down the Mountain Cats' comeback chances, stranding a runner in scoring position in every inning following. Hughes was consistent from start to finish, ending with 109 total pitches, a career-high.
Western Division Athlete of the Week
Connor Evans
California
Outfield
Senior
Hermitage, Pa. / Hickory
Evans went a combined 10-for-12 with five extra-base hits, six RBI and seven runs scored, as the Vulcans swept a three-game season-opening series against Ohio Dominican. He recorded an .846 on-base percentage and a 1.500 slugging percentage while starting all three games in right field. On Thursday, Evans went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a 15-10 victory over the Panthers. The Hickory product then tallied three hits with a two-run homer and two runs scored in a 7-2 win in Game 1 on Friday. Evans closed the series by collecting four hits, two RBI and three runs scored in a 12-6 victory in Game 2 against the Panthers.
Western Division Pitcher of the Week
Jared Dowey
Pitt-Johnstown
Right-Handed Pitcher
Redshirt Senior
Bedford, Pa. / Bedford Area
Dowey tossed 5.0 innings and picked up the win as Pitt-Johnstown defeated East Stroudsburg, 11-2 to conclude a four-game series in Aberdeen, Md. last Saturday. Dowey surrendered no runs, just one hit, two walks, and struck out seven as UPJ earned a series split with ESU.