Chicago, Ill. – July 26, 2021 – The Midwest Collegiate League announced its weekly award winners on Monday as Doug Loden (Joliet JC / St. John, Ind.) of the MCL Minutemen was named Player of the Week and Matt Dinkel (Lake Land / Bolingbrook, Ill.) of the Joliet Generals garnered the league’s Pitcher of the Week honor.

Loden received the nod based primarily on his memorable performance in Thursday’s 5-4 victory over the Chicago American Giants. He slugged two home runs including a go-ahead, two-run blow with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Loden batted .429 for the week while driving in four and scoring four times in only three games.

Loden holds a .273 batting average and .456 on-base percentage over 20 games this season with five home runs and 21 RBIs. He became the first Minutemen player to garner a weekly award this summer.  

Dinkel held Southland scoreless over four innings while permitting just two hits and striking out eight in his start on Monday, July 19. He picked up the victory as the Generals edged the Vikings 4-3. Dinkel holds a 2-3 record and 3.32 earned run average this season while striking out 32 and walking 18 in 19 innings of work over six games (five starts). He is the second General to win MCL Pitcher of the Week this season, joining Nick Vollmert on June 21.

The MCL will continue to announce its weekly awards each Monday for the remainder of the season.

2021 MCL Player of the Week Award Winners

June 7 – Tyler Schultz, Crestwood

June 14 – Tre’ Hondras, CAG 

June 21 – Zamaurion Hatcher, NWI

June 28 – Christian Seegers, Joliet 

July 5 – Colin Bruce, NWI

July 12 – Josh Williams, CAG (unanimous)

July 19 – Kevin McCormick, NWI (unanimous)

July 26 – Doug Loden, Minutemen

2021 MCL Pitcher of the Week Award Winners

June 7 – Benny Guevara, Crestwood

June 14 – Jake Paymaster, Southland

June 21 – Nick Vollmert, Joliet

June 28 – Jack Guzek, NWI

July 5 – Jake Paymaster, Southland 

July 12 – Nick Miketinac, NWI

July 19 – Matt Lelito, NWI

July 26 – Matt Dinkel, Joliet