Diedrich, Burnell named players of week

YSU swept the week's honors in both baseball and softball.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Youngstown State's Eric Diedrich and Karlie Burnell were selected Monday by the Horizon League as its player and pitcher of the week for baseball and softball, respectively.
Diedrich, a junior designated hitter from Bay Village, batted .435 with 12 RBIs and six runs scored in helping the Penguins to a 4-1 record last week. YSU swept Butler in three games to open the Horizon League season.
"Eric is just a great person and a hard worker," said YSU baseball coach Mike Florak. "We were able to get some guys on base ahead of him and Butler had to pitch to him and he came through.
"He's having a great career here and we're looking forward to watching him all season long," Florak added.
Diedrich had two home runs and nine RBIs against Butler Saturday to set the school's single-game RBI record. He went 4-for-6 with a grand slam, a three-run homer and two RBI singles. Diedrich went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs against the Bulldogs in the first game of the series.
Diedrich, who has a 12-game hitting streak (equaling his career-best), was also named the Horizon player of the week in March 2006.
The Penguins visit Ohio today at 6 p.m. and play their home opener against Malone Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Cene Park.
Pitches two wins
Burnell, a senior from Brampton, Ontario, picked up both of YSU's victories over the weekend against Miami (Ohio). Saturday, Burnell tossed a complete-game four-hitter with seven strikeouts in a 7-5 YSU victory. Sunday, Burnell tossed 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out four and allowing just one hit in the Penguins' 7-6 win over Miami (Ohio). She also tossed a complete-game five-hitter in a 1-0 loss to Purdue. The lone Boilermakers' run was unearned. Burnell finished the weekend with a 1.88 ERA and limited opponents to a .164 batting average.
Burnell, who is 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA this season, ranks fourth all-time in school history with 32 career victories and third with 252 career strikeouts.
YSU plays host to Robert Morris Wednesday at 4 p.m. at McCune Park in Canfield.