OXFORD, Ohio - The River States Conference is pleased to announce the Player of the Week honorees for the past week.
All awards represent contests played from Monday, April 13 through Sunday, April 19.
Baseball Players of the Week
Player of the Week
Diego Mendoza, Shawnee State | Sr. - Utility - Carolina, Puerto Rico
Mendoza led the way for the Bears in a sweep of IU Kokomo, securing Shawnee State's spot in the River States Conference Tournament. The senior had six hits in three games, with two of those hits being home runs. He drove in six runs, and reached base at a .647 clip on the week.
Pitcher of the Week
Cameron Lynch, WVU Tech | So. - Pitcher - Fort Ashby, West Virginia
Lynch delivered a standout week on the mound for WVU Tech, earning a win while appearing in two games out of the bullpen. The sophomore right-hander worked 6.0 innings and allowed just three hits and two runs while striking out 10. Lynch was dominant in the series finale against Indiana University Columbus, recording 10 strikeouts over 4.2 innings of relief to help secure the Golden Bears’ 6-4 victory. He finished the week with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP and averaged 15.0 strikeouts per nine innings, providing a major lift to the pitching staff in key moments.
Softball Players of the Week
Player of the Week
Bailey Duke, St. Mary-of-the-Woods | So. - Shortstop - Montezuma, Indiana
Duke belted four home runs including two walk off winners during the week! She hit two home runs, including the game-winner, against IU Southeast on Tuesday, then did the same against Shawnee State in a 6-5 win on Saturday.
Pitcher of the Week
Emma Davis, IU Southeast | So. - Pitcher - Loogootee, Indiana
Davis logged 16.2 innings of work for the Grenadiers this past week, earning three wins in each of her three starts. Davis allowed just two earned runs in her time in the circle, and struck out 14 in outings against St. Mary-of-the-Woods, WVU Tech, and Rio Grande.
Tennis Players of the Week
Men's Tennis Player of the Week
Juanes Pinto, Oakland City | Sr. - Ambato, Ecuador
Pinto helped the Mighty Oaks clinch the regular season RSC title on Friday, winning a pair of matches. He helped the Oaks to a 6-3 win at the third doubles flight, then earned a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Midway at the third singles flight.
Women's Tennis Player of the Week
Kate Halbig, IU Southeast | So. - Evansville, Indiana
Halbig had a 4-1 week for the Grenadiers, helping IU Southeast to three wins to close the regular season. The sophomore won a singles match against Brescia, then swept singles and doubles against IU Kokomo. She added another doubles win against St. Francis.
Golfers of the Week
Male Golfer of the Week
Braden Tedder, IU East | So. - Centerville, Indiana
Tedder earned medalist honors at the Earlham College Spring Invitational in Richmond. After being outside the top ten after the first round, he shot a one-over 71 in the second round to force a playoff. He then won the playoff on the first hole.
Female Golfer of the Week
Kasey Cameron, Midway | So. - Richmond, Kentucky
Cameron finished five strokes clear of the rest of the field to help Midway to a 66-stroke win at the KCU Spring Invitational on Monday and Tuesday. Cameron shot a 77 in the first round, then added an 81 in the second round.
Outdoor Track Athletes of the Week
Male Track Athlete of the Week
Chayse Lipscomb, Shawnee State | Fr. - Rushville, Ohio
Lipscomb won a pair of silver medals in the hurdles at the Otterbein Twilight Meet. He ran the 110 meters in 14.38 seconds, hitting the NAIA "B" standard. He added a second place finish in the 400 meters, logging a time of 54.98 seconds.
Male Field Athlete of the Week
Jerahmia Smith, SMWC | Sr. - Phoenix, Arizona
Smith won the 121st annual Little State Championship in the Shot Put. The senior once again hit the NAIA standard with a throw of 16.98 meters. The Arizona native also competed in the hammer throw, launching the hammer 39.87 meters.
Female Track Athlete of the Week
Chloe Scales, IU East | Jr. - Centerville, Indiana
Scales set an IU East record in the 10,000 meters at the Indiana Little State Championships, running the course in 389:35.27. Scales' time puts her in podium position for the River States Conference Championships, ranking her third best in River States Conference.
Female Field Athlete of the Week
Sydney Duncan, IU Kokomo | Jr. - Anderson, Indiana
Sydney Duncan won the shot put title with an NAIA Standard toss at the 121st Indiana Little State Championships, launching the shot at a mark of 15.64 meters. She also finished 3rd in the discus and 5th in the hammer throw, logging a 43.46 meter throw in the discus and a 48.71 hammer throw.