Monday, May 21, 2012

Valparaiso University’s Spencer Mahoney (LaGrange Park, Ill./Lyons Township H.S.) has been named the final Horizon League Batter of the Week after helping to lead the Crusaders to a weekend sweep of Youngstown State and the Horizon League regular season championship.

The Crusaders’ freshman shortstop batted .692 over the three games with three doubles, three runs scored, and four runs batted in.  He slugged .923 in the three victories over the Penguins as well.

Mahoney opened the weekend with a 2-for-4 effort on Thursday afternoon in an 8-3 victory, driving home a pair of runs.  In Friday’s 8-7 extra-inning win, he had his first collegiate four-hit game, including a double, and drove home a run.  In Saturday’s 13-2 championship clinching victory, Mahoney went 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles and two runs scored.

On the year Mahoney leads the Crusaders batting .344, including a .366 clip over his final 22 games since returning from injury.  The rookie has driven in 16 runs on the year as well.

Valparaiso (32-22, 22-8 Horizon) will open Horizon League Tournament play on Thursday evening as the Crusaders face an opponent to be determined based upon Wednesday’s results.  Valpo will play at 8 p.m. at Les Miller Field in Chicago, Ill. on the campus of UIC.