Chicago, Ill. – July 3, 2023 – The Northern League has announced its latest set of weekly awards, as Kevin Bushnell (Benedictine / Tinley Park, Ill.) of the Indiana Panthers has been named NL Player of the Week with Steve Washilewski (Dyer, Ind. / Ball State / Kansas [Windy City ThunderBolts]) of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen earning NL Pitcher of the Week recognition.
Bushnell posted a .692 batting average over three games this week, going 9-for-13 with five runs scored. He drove in six runs and four of his nine hits went for extra bases including a triple. Bushnell was also a factor on the basepaths as he went 4-for-4 stealing bags. He did not strike out during the week and added a walk to make his on-base percentage .714 to go along with a 1.077 slugging percentage.
Washilewski picked up a win and a save this week, totaling eight shutout innings of five-hit ball over two games, both against the Lake County Corn Dogs. He walked just one and struck out seven, nailing down the save in the June 28 win over the Corn Dogs by tossing the ninth to preserve a 2-1 advantage before starting and firing seven scoreless while yielding two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts to earn the win in Saturday’s 11-2 victory. His effort on Saturday helped the Oilmen take over sole possession of first in the Northern League.
Washilewski became the first Oilman to win the league’s Pitcher of the Week Award this year, while Bushnell was the first Panther to win a weekly award this season. The team had three Pitchers of the Week last season, but the last time a Panther was named league Player of the Week was Tyler Schultz on June 7, 2021.
The league will continue to announce its weekly awards each Monday or Tuesday throughout the season.
2023 Northern League Players of the Week
June 6 – Ray Hilbrich, Lake County (unanimous)
June 12 – Kevin Denty, NWI
July 19 – Hayden Matulich, Lake County (unanimous)
June 26 – Bryce Lesher, Elkhart County
July 3 – Kevin Bushnell, Panthers (unanimous)
2023 Northern League Pitchers of the Week
June 6 – Ethan Lengfelder, Elkhart County
June 12 – Conor Gausselin, Elkhart County
June 19 – Ethan Lengfelder, Elkhart County (unanimous)
June 26 – Conor Gausselin, Elkhart County (unanimous)
July 3 – Steve Washilewski, NWI