Ogawa Named CCAC Player Of Week After Monstrous Week

CHICAGO – Kekoa Ogawa was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday after a sensational week for Roosevelt during the Lakers' 6-0 run from April 22-28.

The junior had one of the best weeks at the plate around the country, batting .643 with a 1.107 slugging percentage to earn unanimous honors from the league. He managed 18 hits and 18 RBIs with four doubles and three home runs to his credit. He had five games with multiple hits, including three with four hits.

Ogawa was also named the National Player of the Week by NAIABall for his performance, which didn't focus solely at the plate.  He was also a menace on the base paths with five stolen bases and was a key contributor on the mound for the Lakers. In five innings, Ogawa earned a win and a save while striking out five batters.

"Koa had one of the most impressive weeks I've ever seen from a college baseball player," Roosevelt head coach Jason Becker said. "Even when he did get out, they were loud outs. He continues to get better every day this season, and I know he will keep it rolling into the conference tournament this week."

The Pahoa, Hawaii native started last week off strong by going 7 for 9 with five RBIs and four runs scored in a doubleheader sweep of Judson on April 23. He hit a three-run homer in the first game of the doubleheader then came on for the save later in the game. In the second game of the day, Ogawa had an RBI single and a solo homer in the ninth inning as part of a nine-run frame for the Lakers.

Ogawa's amazing week continued in the four-game set against Indiana South Bend as he drove in five runs then pitched four innings on the mound in a 17-15 win. His only hit of the second game of that doubleheader in South Bend, Ind. was an RBI double in a 12-1 win.

Ogawa returned home to Ozinga Field and went 6 for 9 with seven RBIs in the season-closing doubleheader against the Titans. He had a pair of run-scoring doubles in the opener, a 12-8 Roosevelt victory, then added a homer and two RBI singles in the second game for an 11-9 Lakers win.

Thanks to his contributions, the Lakers skyrocketed up the CCAC standings and will be the No. 2 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Roosevelt opens the postseason on Thursday at 4 p.m. against fifth-seeded St. Ambrose, which was also part of the four-way tie for second place in the league.