PBL Players of the Week (Week 14)

PBL Players of the Week (Week of 8-22-2022)

North Batter: Dusty Stroup, IF, Idaho Falls

It took the Chukars’ lineup a couple games to get in a groove against the Hawks this week, but
when they got going, they couldn’t stop scoring. Dusty Stroup led the charge, hitting three
homers and driving in 13 runs as the Chukars scored 54 runs over their last four games against
Boise. Entering Friday’s game in an 0-for-18 stretch, Stroup snapped the cold spell in a big way,
going 3-for-4 with a grand slam and seven RBIs, finishing a triple shy of the cycle in the
Chukars’ 23-3 rout. The following day, Stroup went 4-for-5 with two homers and six RBIs,
including a game-tying three-run homer to help Idaho Falls inch past Boise in a wild 17-15
affair. Stroup now ranks second in the league in homers with 22 and his 93 RBIs and 46 extra-
base hits both rank third in the league.

North Pitcher: Ethan McRae, Billings

Sunday’s game was of utmost importance to the Mustangs as they tried to hang onto their playoff
spot, and Ethan McRae delivered the best performance of his PBL career. He tossed seven
innings, allowing just five hits and one run while walking one and striking out five. The outing
was the longest of his four starts in the PBL and he threw 70 of his 104 pitches for strikes. While
the southpaw didn’t get a decision, the Mustangs walked off the Paddleheads to earn a split of
their series and stay two games clear of Idaho Falls in the playoff race.

South Batter: Jesus Valdez, IF, Ogden

Despite a rough series for the Raptors, Jesus Valdez had a dominant week at the plate, earning
his third South Batter of the Week honor this season. He went a blistering 14-for-25 at the dish,
smacking five doubles and a homer while driving in 12 runs. On Wednesday, Valdez went 4-for-
5 with two doubles and three RBIs in Ogden’s 19-6 win over the Vibes. On Saturday, Valdez
chipped in another 4-for-5 performance, this time hitting a homer and driving in three runs. The
infielder enters this week riding a 10-game hitting streak, and ranks second in the PBL in RBIs
with 99, second in hits, and seventh in extra-base hits.

South Pitcher: Mitch Lines, Boise

Facing the high-powered Idaho Falls offense, Mitch Lines turned in a gutsy performance to help
lead the Hawks past the Chukars on Wednesday night. The right-hander tossed just the second
nine-inning complete game of the PBL season and the first of his professional career, allowing
five hits and one unearned run, walking three and striking out eight. Lines also threw 141 pitches
(91 strikes) and retired the last eight batters he faced.