Lonnie Lechelt Named Pac-10 Player Of The Week
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Oregon State senior infielder Lonnie Lechelt has been named the Pacific-10 Conference’s Player of the Week, commissioner Tom Hansen announced Tuesday.
Lechelt batted .500 (5-for-10) in Oregon State’s 2-1 series victory over Arizona State in Tempe. He drove in seven runs over the weekend on the strength of a double, triple and home run. On Friday night, he began Oregon State’s rally in the ninth by driving in two runs on a triple down the left field line. He eventually scored the tying run and watched as the Beavers defeated the Sun Devils, 6-4.
On Saturday, Lechelt continued to hit ASU’s pitching well. He started at second base, and claimed one hit – a fourth-inning, three-run home run that gave Oregon State a 5-1 lead in a game the Beavers eventually won, 12-3. He drove in his fourth run on the game when reaching on a fielder’s choice in the seventh to help cement the win.
The Kennewick, Wash., native ended his weekend with a 3-for-5 effort on Sunday, a game the Beavers rallied in but could not come away with a win, losing 15-12. Lechelt posted two singles and then doubled home a run in the ninth as OSU put the tying run on-deck.
The seven RBI over the weekend gave Lechelt 12 in 10 career games against the Sun Devils. This season, and entering Wednesday night’s game with Portland, Lechelt is batting .326 with two home runs and 16 RBI.
The Pac-10 honor is the first in Lechelt’s career and second of the season for Oregon State, which saw Ryan Ortiz honored March 25. All-time, the Beavers have had 54 players earn Pac-10 Player of the Week honors.
Outfield general admission seats for $10 are still available for Wednesday’s game. To purchase tickets, calling 1-800-GOBEAVS, visit or the legendary Gill Coliseum ticket office. Fans can also purchase tickets at the Goss Stadium ticket office on game day. It opens two-and-a-half hours before first pitch.
Fans can also catch the game, which starts at 5 p.m., live by tuning into the Beaver Sports Network, Beaver Nation Online () or Yahoo! Sports. Mike Parker will be behind the mic for Wednesday’s game.
