Freeburg took home the 2A state title last season and MIF Eli Hoerner (2022; Iowa Western CC) was one of the main offensive catalysts to their success. Back for his final season in a Freeburg uniform, Hoerner is picking up right where he left off in the state playoffs and his productive week six stretch earned him our ‘Player of the Week’ honors. 

Hoerner started his week off with a bang, pacing Freeburg in a 16-0 win. He finished the game a perfect 3-for-3, scoring four runs and driving in six of his own. His RBI single to left field in the first inning got Freeburg on the board and, with the bases juiced in the second, Hoerner blew the game open after skyrocketing a ball over the left field fence for a grand slam. He homered again in his next at-bat, this time a solo shot over center field to leadoff the fourth inning. 

Hoerner picked up another hit in Freeburg’s following game, a 6-1 loss to Breese Central, and he helped his squad rebound in game three, a 13-0 win over New Athens the following day. He led a 14-hit Freeburg offensive attack with three of his own, driving in four runs and scoring twice. His RBI triple in the first inning gave Freeburg an early lead and a two-run single in the second padded their lead. Hoerner brought another run home in the third on a double to center field, concluding his day with the game ending after five innings. 

Though he didn’t record a hit in game four, Hoerner still managed to swipe a bag after reaching via walk. He rebounded nicely in game two of Saturday’s double-header against Gibault Catholic, picking up two more hits. His first was an RBI single to left in the first that, again, got Freeburg on the board early in the game. He singled again in the fourth and finished the game with two walks, stealing a bag as well. 

In total, Hoerner went 9-for-14 this past week with a double, triple, two home runs, and 11 RBIs. He stole four bases, walked four times, and scored seven runs as well. Hoerner helped Freeburg win three games this week, getting them on the board first in all three victories and serving as an offensive catalyst throughout. 

For his efforts, Hoerner has been named the PBR Illinois Player of the Week, for the week of Monday, April 18 through Sunday, April 24. It should be noted that this week’s award was a difficult one, with several candidates putting up deserved statlines across the state. Ultimately, after careful consideration of individual production and team success, Hoerner took home this week's honors. Still, we're thankful for the POTW submissions we received from the coaches across the state. The players who garnered POTW consideration will earn a place within Friday's Diamond Notes story, so be on the lookout for that by the end of this week.

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