Cleveland State and Valparaiso garner weekly softball awards

INDIANAPOLIS - Valparaiso sophomore Jordan Rutkowski has been named the Horizon League Softball Batter of the Week, while Cleveland State senior Amanda Macenko has earned Pitcher of the Week honors for the week ending Feb. 28.

Rutkowski went 7-for-13 (.538) on the week, as the Crusaders posted a 2-2 record in the Tiger Spring Classic in Nashville, Tenn. The Alden, N.Y., native, racked up All-Tournament Team honors as the infielder/catcher tallied five runs, four RBI and three doubles.  Rutkowski currently rides a five-game hitting streak and has notched at least one run in each of those games.

Macenko won all five games this past weekend as the Vikings picked up the team title at the UNC-Greensboro Spartan Classic.  She threw 36 innings, allowing just 14 runs and five walks while striking out 42 total batters.  The two-time Horizon League Pitcher of the Year now owns 85 career wins.

2010 Horizon League Softball Batters of the Week

Feb. 15:            Kelsey Phalen, So., Valparaiso
Feb. 22:            Tess Sito, Fr., Cleveland State
March 1:           Jordan Rutkowski, So., Valparaiso

2010 Horizon League Softball Pitchers of the Week

Feb. 15             Shaleigh Jansen, So., Valparaiso
Feb. 22             Jenny Esparza, Fr., Butler
March 1:           Amanda Macenko, Sr., Cleveland State