Pioneers name athletes of the week, Hoeppner and Walechka earn WIAC honors

April 23, 2019

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	Ashton Hoeppner*, Sophomore (Winona, Minn./Senior) - Pitcher Hoeppner pitched 27.2 innings, allowed only two earned runs (0.65 ERA) and struck out 24 batters. Hoeppner pitched back to back 1-0 shutouts on April 15 against Wisconsin Lutheran and April 19 against UW-Oshkosh. She pitched 4.2 shutout inning of the 2-7 loss in the second game against UW-Oshkosh on April 19. On April 20, Hoeppner pitched 7.1 innings with two earned runs in the 1-2 loss against UW-Eau Claire. She earned the save in the 1-0 win over UW-Eau Claire and threw 1.2 hitless innings.
	Katie Wardinski, Senior (West Allis, Wis./Central) – 10,000 meters Wardinski ran a school record time of 35:59.16 at the Phil Esten Challenge on April 19th. Her time was 1 minute 43 second faster than her previous best. That time currently ranks 3rd in the WIAC and 16th on the NCAA National List.
	Alex Walechka*, Junior (Minnesota City, Minn./Cotter HS) – Discus Walechka won the discus throw at the Augustana Meet of Champions on April 19th. His mark of 52.71 m (172' 11") was over an eleven foot personal best. That mark currently ranks #1 in the WIAC and #3 on the NCAA National List.
	Logan Kozak, Freshman (Waukesha, Wis./North) – Catcher Kozak hit .333 (5-of-15) including hitting for the cycle in one of his three starts this week. On April 19, Kozak went 4-of-5 which included a single, double, triple, homerun, walk, three RBI and two runs scored in the 18-9 win over UW-Stevens Point. Kozak went 0-of-4 but scored a run in the 8-3 win over UW-Stevens Point on April 19. In the doubleheader on April 20 against UW-Stevens Point, Kozak went 1-of-5 with two RBI and a run scored in the 11-4 win and then went 0-of-1 in a pinch hit opportunity in the 8-7 loss. Kozak threw out two base stealers on the week.