Weekly Diamond Notes

May 26, 2017

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

This week’s PBR Player of the Week was senior infielder Donivan Williams (Richards). On the week, Williams went 7-for-11 (.636 BA), with three homeruns, a double, a triple, nine RBI and scored eight runs. At one point last week, Williams homered in three straight games. Also, two of his three long balls on the week were by the three-run variety.

Below we noted players who just missed out on the Player of the Week over the last two weeks:

WEEK 7 & 8 PERFORMANCES

Ryan Hampe, C, Sandburg, 2018
In four games last week, Hampe went 8-for-13 (.615 BA) with two homeruns, two doubles, 12 RBI and four runs scored. Hampe at the time was riding a 10 game hitting streak. Defensively, Hampe threw out four potential base stealers. On the year, he is hitting .471 with 10 doubles, six homeruns and 30 RBI in 25 games.

Justin Ruthrauff, LHP/OF, St. Rita, 2017
Ruthrauff had impressive performances at the plate and on the mound, the last two weeks for St. Rita. In week seven, he went 6-for-10 (.600 BA) with a double, triple, four runs scored and four RBI. On the mound, the southpaw went 4.2 innings, no earned runs and scattered two hits.

Last week, Ruthrauff went 7-for-10 (.700 BA) with a double, triple, three RBI and five runs scored. He also walked 10 times, good for a .850 on base percentage. In the Steven Bajenski quarterfinal he got the win on the mound over Providence Catholic. He went six innings, scattered six hits, allowed two runs, struck out six and walked one.

Matt Verdun, RHP/INF, St. Rita, 2017
Lewis University commit. Led St. Rita past St. Laurence in the Steven Bajenski Championship Game. He picked up the win on the mound, twirling a complete game shutout. In his seven innings, he scattered three hits, struck out five and walked five. He also drove in the one and only run for St. Rita in the 1-0 victory with a first inning single. At the plate for the week, he went 6-for-16 (.375 BA), with four walks, five RBI and five runs scored.