The University of Akron Athletics
Havrilak, Valek Sweep MAC Weekly Baseball Honors
March 23 | Baseball
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CLEVELAND — Akron outfielder Joey Havrilak (Washington, Pa.) and pitcher John Valek III (Parkland, Fla.) swept the Mid-American Conference baseball honors for the East Division, the league announced on Monday.
Havrilak earned MAC Player of the Week accolades, while Valek captured Pitcher of the Week honors.
Additionally, Havrilak was named the Zips' Student-Athlete of the Week.
A redshirt senior, Havrilak issued stellar performances at the plate for Akron between the team's midweek games at West Virginia and Pittsburgh as well as in a three-game series at Eastern Michigan to open Mid-American Conference play.
Havrilak posted four multi-hit games and a pair of multi-RBI performances as he batted .500 (10-for-20) on the week, while registering eight RBI, and a .750 slugging percentage. The outfielder's strongest performance came on March 17 at West Virginia where he went 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI, one run scored, a walk and two stolen bases. Three of his four RBI came from a one-out, three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning.
He followed up the performance the next day at Pittsburgh with a two-hit game, highlighted by a stand-up RBI triple in the second inning. He raked in a pair of RBI in the 13-7 loss and crossed the plate twice for Akron. Against EMU, Havrilak went 5-for-11 with two RBI, one run scored and two walks. His week increased his team-leading on-base percentage to .472.
On the season, Havrilak is Akron's top batter (.352) with 25 hits, 17 runs, and 14 RBI in 20 starts. He has seven extra-base hits—two doubles, two triples, and three home runs and is a perfect 5-for-5 in stole bases.
Junior starting pitcher Valek (3-1) twirled a complete game in the series opener against Eastern Michigan to lead the Zips to a 6-2 victory on Friday to open Mid-American Conference play. The left-hander held the Eagles to eight hits and allowed just two runs, while walking one and striking out four. While Akron held a 5-2 lead through six full, Valek allowed just one EMU hit throughout the final three frames to seal the UA victory. Valek set the Eagles down in order three times as he faced 32 batters and threw 100 pitches, 67 for strikes. It was the fourth complete game of his collegiate career.
Overall, Valek (4.46 ERA) has made six starts for Akron and has pitched a team-high 36.1 innings.
The MAC honor is the first for Havrilak and Valek. They are the second and third Zips to earn MAC recognition this season. Southpaw Pat Dyer was named MAC Pitcher of the Week on March 11.
Akron (10-10 overall, 2-1 MAC) hosts Youngstown State (4-11 overall) in its home opener on Tuesday, March 24, at 3 p.m. at Lee R. Jackson Field.
MAC BASEBALL WEEKLY HONORS
March 23, 2015
EAST DIVISION
Player: Joey Havrilak, Akron
Pitcher: John Valek III, Akron
WEST DIVISION
Player: Tyler Huntley, Central Michigan
Pitcher: Zach Plesac, Ball State
