Chicago, Ill. – June 14, 2021 – The Midwest Collegiate League announced its weekly awards for the second week of the 2021 season on Monday as Chicago American Giants utility player Tre’ Hondras (Illinois State / South Holland, Ill.) was named the MCL Player of the Week and Southland Vikings left-hander Jacob Paymaster (Triton College / New Lenox, Ill.) was tabbed MCL Pitcher of the Week.

Hondras went 6-for-11 in three games this week, compiling a .545 batting average. He drove in eight runs and ripped four extra-base knocks in just three contests for the American Giants. The Homewood-Flossmoor High School alum had three extra-base hits in Thursday’s game against the Minutemen, driving in five with two doubles and a home run.

Hondras, who is in his second season in the league after spending the 2020 summer with the Northwest Indiana Oilmen, played for the College of Central Florida in 2020-2021 and will join the Illinois State baseball program for the 2021-2022 year. He becomes the first MCL Player of the Week in the young history of the American Giants, the MCL’s newest team. For the season, Hondras is hitting .452 and slugging .806 with 15 RBIs in eight games.

Paymaster was masterful in his start this week, pitching a seven-inning complete game shutout to lift Southland over Joliet 9-0 on Thursday. He struck out seven and walked three while yielding just four hits in the victory. Paymaster improved his record to 2-0 over three games (two starts) and owns a 3.00 ERA this summer with five walks against 13 strikeouts.

The MCL will continue to announce its weekly honors each Monday throughout the season.

2021 MCL Player of the Week Award Winners

June 7 – Tyler Schultz, Crestwood

June 14 – Tre’ Hondras, Chicago American Giants

2021 MCL Pitcher of the Week Award Winners

June 7 – Benny Guevara, Crestwood

June 14 – Jake Paymaster, Southland