WHITING, Ind. – June 19, 2017 – For the second time in three weeks, Tristan Welch (Louisiana State-Eunice/Baton Rouge, La.) of the DuPage County Hounds has earned MCL Player of the Week honors. Welch was on a tear this week. In four games, he hit three home runs (in three consecutive games, nonetheless) with 16 RBI, while posting a .555 batting average (10-18) and leading DuPage to a 3-1 record on the week. With his impressive week, Welch brought his batting average up from .350 to .397 in just four games. He now leads the Hounds in that category. The Hounds lead the Midwest Collegiate League with a record of 12-4 in large part because of Welch’s impressive work at the plate.  

Joe Graziano (Butler/Schererville, Ind.) of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen continued his dominance in 2017.  In a 5-4 victory over Joliet on June 16, Graziano went five innings and gave up four hits, striking out eight and not allowing a single Admiral to score. After his impressive start, Graziano has started two games, with nine innings of work, not allowing a run and struck out 13 while not giving up any runs. The Oilmen continue to play solid baseball after a rough start, sitting in second place in the MCL with an 11-9 record.  

Honorable Mentions:  

Sean Arnold (Joliet Admirals): 3 GP, 10-16, (.625)  

Nick Brune (Bloomington Bobcats): 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 K, 3 H