Baseball | 4/26/2016 2:29:35 PM
Kansas City, Mo. – Missouri Western’s Nick Gawley ad Northeastern State’s Michael Rhea have been named the MIAA/AstroTurf Co-Hitters of the Week. They are joined by Lindenwood’s Brenda Kleekamp and Northwst Missouri’s Nikko Pablo who were named Co-Pitchers of the Week.
MIAA/AstroTurf Co-Hitter of the Week
Nick Gawley, OF, Missouri Western
Gawley was hot at the plate as the Griffons went 4-1 at home last week. He started the week with four hits and seven RBI’s against Northwest Missouri State. The junior was a triple shy of the cycle in the game, including the walk-off hit to win the game. Overall he batted .529 on the week with three doubles, a triple and a home run. He had 12 RBIs and slugged 1.000. The 5-8 junior is a native of Vancouver, Wash. where he competed at Prairie High School prior to playing a Mt. Hood Community College.
MIAA/AstroTurf Co-Hitter of the Week
Michael Rhea, OF, Northeastern State
Michael Rhea entered this past week 2-for-22 for his career. He had made only four starts in his career and was used primarily as a pinch runner. The sophomore began his week with a pinch-hit triple and game-winning run on a suicide squeeze in the 14th inning against Central Oklahoma. Rhea was then rewarded with three starts in right field, where he played a big role in helping Northeastern State deal No. 13 Central Missouri its first series loss of the season. Overall for the week, he went 8-for-14 (.571) with three doubles, one triple, one home run, six runs batted in and eight runs scored. The three doubles, triple, HR and six RBIs were all the first of his career. He hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth in NSUs 9-7 win over the Mules, and he also recorded a crucial two-RBI base hit in the seventh inning of NSUs 10-6 victory in the series finale. Rhea registered a .571 on-base percentage and a 1.143 slugging percentage. He also had 12 putouts and no errors in right field for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. The 6-1 sophomore is a native of Greenwood, Arkansas, where he competed at Greenwood High School.
Others nominated: Nick Gotta, Northwest Missouri; Bennett Oliver, Central Missouri; Payton Solcher, Washburn.
MIAA/AstroTurf Co-Pitcher of the Week
Nikko Pablo, P, Northwest Missouri
Nikko Pablo pitched 8.1 innings of relief over two games for Northwest last week. He allowed just one earned run while logging seven strikeouts all while not issuing a walk. On Tuesday vs. Missouri Western, Pablo went 3.2 innings, allowing three hits with no earned runs. He struck out two. On Saturday at Central Oklahoma, Pablo got the win, going 4.2 innings of relief, allowing just one earned run with five strikeouts. The 5-7 junior is a native of Stockton, Calif. where he competed at Ronald E. McNair High School.
MIAA/AstroTurf Co-Pitcher of the Week
Brendan Kleekamp, P, Lindenwood
Brendan Kleekamp was nearly perfect last week as he pitched a one-hit shutout over Lincoln, and earned a victory over Emporia State. Kleekamp pitched a complete game against Lincoln on Tuesday in which he struck out nine batters and walked just one. Brendan came into game one against Emporia State in the 10th inning with the game tied at 4-4. Kleekamp pitched a hit-less inning with two strikeouts and earned the victory in the walk-off victory for the Lions. The 6-2 senior is a native of Marthasville, Mo. where he competed at St. Francis Borgia.
Others nominated: Preston Bailey, Missouri Western; Daniel Faulk, Northeastern State; Dan Gabler, Washburn; Cooper Gardner, Pittsburg State; Cody Hutchinson, Missouri Southern; Chris Sievers, Nebraska-Kearney.