Wichlacz, Perez Voted OCCAC Player, Pitcher of the Week In Baseball

By Nicholas Huenefeld/OCCAC Sports Information

Jake Wichlacz and Juan Perez have been named this week's Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) player and pitcher of the week recipients, respectively, in baseball.

Wichlacz, a sophomore third baseman for Owens Community College, led the Express to a 5-1 week. He opened the week with a 1-for-2 performance, including a triple and two RBI, in a 10-0 win over Lourdes University JV.

However, it was in conference play where Wichlacz really made an impact. In four games against Lakeland Community College, he went 9-for-14 (.643) with four runs, one double, one home run and eight RBI.

In 12 conference games so far, Wichlacz is hitting .436 with eight runs, four doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI. He also has a .532 on base percentage and is slugging .692. He is fourth in the conference in batting average, fifth in hits and third in RBI.

Perez, meanwhile, is a freshman left-handed pitcher from Cuyahoga Community College. In three games out of the bullpen, he helped his team pick up a four-game sweep over No. 3 Sinclair Community College and strengthen its hold on the No. 1 spot in the conference standings.

Perez went 1-0 with a save in 3.2 innings. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four.

"Juan has been a key to our success all season long, especially this past weekend," said Cuyahoga head baseball coach Evan Agona. "He earned a win and a save, and he got us out of a jam in a game he didn't earn a decision."

In conference play, Perez is 1-0 with two saves and a 1.59 ERA. Overall, he is 4-1 with five saves and a 0.54 ERA in 16 appearances this year.

Notes

Cuyahoga (39-10 overall, 12-0 OCCAC) and Owens (26-11 overall, 9-3 OCCAC) will battle for the OCCAC championship this weekend. Owens must win all four games from Cuyahoga to clinch the league title, while Cuyahoga just needs one win.