Chicago, Ill. – Aug. 5, 2023 – The Griffith Generals may not have qualified for the 2023 Northern League Playoffs, which begin on Saturday night at Oil City Stadium in Whiting and Legacy Fields in Crown Point, but they did end their season on a high note by sweeping the final weekly awards of 2023.
Max Hensler was named the league’s Player of the Week, while Osvaldo Ballesteros took home NL Pitcher of the Week honors.
Hensler, who hit .300 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs this week, was instrumental in both Generals late-inning rallies on Tuesday and Wednesday. His hit in the bottom of the 11th inning on Wednesday scored the tying and winning runs against the Southland Vikings and denied them the two-seed in the playoffs.
Ballesteros outdid himself once again on the mound for the Generals, as he had a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings against the Panthers. He only allowed three baserunners all evening, getting a no-decision in his quality start on Thursday. He finished with six innings of one-hit, shutout ball while striking out five and walking two.
This week’s awards were based on performances from Aug. 1-3.
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)
July 10 – Doug Loden, Lake County (unanimous)
July 18 – Dawson Willis, Elkhart County (unanimous)
July 25 – Tyler Schultz, Lake County
July 31 – Kayden Cain, Elkhart County (unanimous)
Aug. 5 – Max Hensler, Griffith
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
July 10 – Steve Washilewski, NWI
July 18 – Will Moell, Southland
July 25 – Alex White, Griffith
July 31 – Hunter Niksch, Panthers (unanimous)
Aug. 5 – Osvaldo Ballesteros, Griffith (unanimous)