Chicago, Ill. – July 27, 2020 – The Midwest Collegiate League unveiled its third set of weekly awards for the 2020 season on Monday, naming Crestwood outfielder Ray Hilbrich (Purdue Northwest / Schererville, Ind.) the MCL Player of the Week and Northwest Indiana right hander Kyle Iwinski (Kankakee CC / Griffith, Ind.) the MCL Pitcher of the Week.

Hilbrich garnered the honor after helping the Panthers put together a six-game winning streak to vault to the middle of the MCL standings. He went 8-for-15 (.533) while slugging a home run, driving in seven runs and scoring four. For the season, Hilbrich has 10 doubles, 12 RBIs, 12 runs scored and a .379 batting average. The powerful Panther bat closed the week with three straight multi-hit games.

Hilbrich is enjoying a second straight successful MCL campaign as he hit .426 a year ago with 20 RBIs to notch All-MCL honors and earn a place in the MCL All-Star Game.

Iwinski dominated to the tune of seven innings without allowing an earned run on Friday against the MCL Minutemen, permitting just two hits and walking none while notching 10 strikeouts. For the season, the right hander has struck out 22 against just four walks while compiling a 1.00 ERA over four games (two starts) spanning 18 innings. He picked up the victory on Friday to account for his first decision of the year.

Iwinski is part of an Oilmen starting staff that put together a remarkable run on a four-game homestand this weekend, combining for 27 strikeouts and no walks. He is in his second season pitching for the team after debuting in 2019 following his senior season of high school.

The MCL will continue to announce weekly honors each Monday throughout the season. Stats from Monday through Sunday are considered for each week’s awards, which are decided by a vote of the league’s broadcasters and official scorers.

2020 Player of the Week Award Winners

July 13 – Justin Rios, Southland

July 20 – Patrick Doran, Minutemen

July 27 – Ray Hilbrich, Crestwood

2020 Pitcher of the Week Award Winners

July 13 – Jake Karaba, Southland

July 20 – Jack Guzek, NWI

July 27 – Kyle Iwinski, NWI