Valley League Player and Pitcher of the Week Awards, July 15-20| News

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Valley League Player and Pitcher of the Week Awards, July 15-20| News | Valley League Baseball

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Valley League Player and Pitcher of the Week Awards, July 15-20

HARRISONBURG, Va. (7/22/02) - Staunton's Michael Macaluso has been named Valley League Player of the week. Winchester's Grant Smith has been named Valley League Pitcher of the Week. The awards are based on games played from July 15 through July 20.

Macaluso, a junior from the University of South Florida, played in five of the Braves' six games last week and compiled a .364 batting average. Macaluso's 8-for-22 performance was good enough to edge out Luray's Brett Brown for the award. In Staunton's 5-1 win at Waynesboro last Monday, Macaluso went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. Macaluso again went 2-for-4 in a 9-6 win over Covington on Wednesday driving in three more. For the week, Macaluso scored two runs, drove in five, and stole two bases. Macaluso brought his average up to .237 as the Braves went 4-2 moving to two games back of Harrisonburg and the final playoff spot in the Southern Division. Macaluso also represented the Braves on his home field Sunday night in the Valley League All-Star Game.

Grant, a junior from George Mason University, made four relief appearances for the Royals earning a save in all four appearances. Grant worked one inning in each of the four appearances allowing only one hit and no runs. On Friday, Grant pitched a scoreless ninth inning after teammate Jimmy Cartwright worked eight scoreless innings as the two combined for 2-0 shutout of Front Royal. Winchester's four wins strengthened their hold on second place in the Northern Division and the final playoff spot that comes with it. For the season, Grant has yet to allow an earned run in 23 1/3 innings. His four saves for the week put him in the league-lead with 10. Grant also appeared in Sunday's All-Star Game representing the Royals on the northern team.

Luray's Brett Brown (Mansfield) and Harrisonburg's David Marlett (Oklahoma City) both received honorable mention for Player of the Week. Brown went 7-for-15 with two doubles, three runs, and two RBI for the Wranglers as they won three games and moved to just 2 1/2 games back of Winchester. Marlett hit .364 with two doubles and a home run for the Turks.

Staunton's Brandon Camardese (Miami) and Harrisonburg's Logan Kensing (Texas A&M) both received honorable mention for Pitcher of the Week. Camardese won both of his starts for the Braves allowing 11 hits and four earned runs while striking out 11 over 13 innings. Kensing worked 6 1/3 innings in three relief appearances for the Turks earning a win and his ninth save.