Kolpien Snags Second Career CL Player-of-the-Week Award
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League announced its athletes of the week on Monday, in which Kaleb Kolpien was honored as the CL Baseball Player-of-the-Week.
The standout sophomore was monumental in helping Taylor secure a 3-1 series victory over RV Olivet Nazarene, smacking eight hits, three doubles, and a home run while driving in eight runs and stealing a base.
Kolpien had a career day in the series opener, going 5-5 at the plate with five RBI and three runs scored. Kolpien's performance was not limited to the batter's box though, as he collected the win on the mound, firing four innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts.
The sophomore also had the game-changing hit in game three when he ripped a two-out two-run double in the bottom of the seventh to give TU a lead which it held onto to grab the win.
Kolpien has begun the season on a tear, with a .472 batting average, 26 hits, and 18 RBI, all of which lead the Crossroads League in the young season. The Fort Wayne native stretched his hitting streak to 12 by the end of the third game before seeing it come to a close in the series finale.
Taylor (7-7) begins Crossroads League action on Thursday, March 2, against Saint Francis (5-7) at Winterholder Field, with first pitch slated for noon.