Youngstown State juniors Phil Lipari and Patrick O'Brien have been named the Horizon League Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, after posting standout performances against Milwaukee over the weekend.
Lipari (Poland, Ohio) was 8-for-10 with seven RBIs, four runs scored and four stolen bases against the Panthers. In Sunday's finale, a 6-2 Penguins victory that gave them a 2-1 edge in the series, Lipari accounted for all six runs. He drove in five and scored the other while reaching base four times. Lipari posted a .769 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage against Milwaukee.
O'Brien (Boardman, Ohio) had the best start of his career against the Panthers in YSU's 10-1 victory on Saturday. With Milwaukee as the league's top offensive team coming into the week, O'Brien surrendered just five hits in a complete-game win. He did not walk a batter while striking out seven. O'Brien also pitched 1.2 innings of relief against Akron on Wednesday and struck out three batters.
The Penguins host Pittsburgh on Tuesday and play at West Virginia on Wednesday. They'll return home for a three-game series against Valparaiso this weekend.
