SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Western Illinois outfielder Nick Mitchell and Oral Roberts relief pitcher Cade Denton garnered the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Baseball Peak Player and Pitcher of the Week awards, respectively, League officials announced Monday.
Mitchell continued his torrid start to the season, going 9-for-18 in a four-game series at (20/24) Texas Tech. The Leathernecks' centerfielder had multiple hits in the first three games of the series and finished with five extra-base hits.
In game two against the Red Raiders, Mitchell went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and career-high four RBI. He had triples in each of the last two contests and the Carmel, Ind., native has hit safely in all eight games so far this season. He leads all Division I players with 19 hits and is tenth with a .559 batting average.
Denton logged three scoreless appearances for the Golden Eagles, who picked up a series win on the road at Texas State. The Rowlett, Texas native fanned seven in four innings of work and is the second consecutive ORU hurler to grab the honor.
After striking out the side in an inning of work during a mid-week tilt with Missouri State, Denton allowed only one hit and struck out four in three combined innings during ORU's two wins over the Bearcats.
He picked up his first save of the season in the middle game of the series, then finished off the finale with a scoreless ninth inning in ORU's 8-4 series-clinching win.
Baseball Peak Performer of the Week
Nick Mitchell, Western Illinois
So. | Outfielder | Carmel, Ind.
• Went 9-for-18, hitting safely in all four games at (20/24) Texas Tech
• Finished series vs. Red Raiders with five extra-base hits and six RBI
• Went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and career-high four RBI in game two of series
• Earned his first weekly accolade of the season and second of his career
Others Nominated for Player of the Week: Mike Boeve (Omaha); Jacob Godman (Oral Roberts).
Baseball Peak Pitcher of the Week
Cade Denton, Oral Roberts
Jr. | RHP | Rowlett, Texas
• Logged three scoreless appearances out of ORU's bullpen, fanning seven in four innings of work
• Picked up first save of season in middle game of Texas State series, striking out three
• Finished off 8-4 series-clinching win over Bobcats with a scoreless ninth inning
• Earned the first weekly award of his career
Others Nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Caleb Riedel (Omaha).
2022 Baseball Weekly Award Winners
February 20
Peak Performer of the Week: Mac McCroskey, Oral Roberts
Peak Pitcher of the Week: Jakob Hall, Oral Roberts
February 27
Peak Performer of the Week: Nick Mitchell, Western Illinois
Peak Pitcher of the Week: Cade Denton, Oral Roberts
#SummitBSB
