Keith Curcio became the first member of the 2012 Sanford River Rats to be named Player of the Week in the Florida Collegiate Summer League after posting a spectacular week that included a league high three home runs, 11 RBI (11) and nine runs scored.
With just three weeks left in the season, the Leesburg Lightning hold on to just a 1.5 game lead over the DeLand Suns. The Suns and Winter Park Diamond Dawgs have each put together strong runs, going 7-3 in their final 10 games before the break.
The Dawgs made history this week, breaking the Florida League record for most stolen bases in a season. Winter Park has already swiped 122 bags with 12 games still on the schedule.
The Orlando Monarchs still have a firm grasp on fourth place while the Sanford River Rats have created some space between themselves and the Orlando Freedom for the fifth and final playoff slot.
As the playoffs loom closer as each game passes, the final weeks of the season are sure to be as exciting as ever. Here are the weekly Player and Pitcher of the Week Awards:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Keith Curcio, Sanford River Rats (Florida Southern)
Curcio was spectacular this week, leading the league with three home runs. He also led the league with 11 RBI, a .769 slugging percentage and nine runs scored.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Josh Ganus, Leesburg Lightning (North Carolina A&T)
Ganus made his FCSL debut on Sunday against the Sanford River Rats and had an immediate impact. He struck out 10 batters in five innings, without issuing any walks. He did not surrender any runs and gave up just two hits in his first start of the season.
TEAM SPECIFIC PLAYERS/PITCHER OF WEEK:
* DeLand Suns _ Player: Bryan Adametz (NC State); Pitcher: Tim Stoops (UMass).
* Leesburg Lightning _ Player: Erik Hindmon (Polk State); Pitcher: Josh Ganus (North Carolina A&T).
* Orlando Freedom _ Player: Mark Nelson (FAU); Pitcher: Chris Walkerow (FAU).
* Orlando Monarchs _ Player: Austin Lueck (USF); Pitcher: Sam Abrams (Miami).
* Sanford River Rats _ Player: Keith Curcio (Florida Southern); Pitcher: John Sever (Daytona State).
* Winter Park Diamond Dawgs _ Player: Tyler Rocklein (FAU); Pitcher: Evan Incinelli (North Florida).
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, July 19
* Leesburg at Winter Park, Alfond Stadium.
* Orlando Monarchs at Sanford, Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium.
* DeLand at Orlando Freedom, Orel Hershiser Field.
Friday, July 20
* Leesburg at Orlando Monarchs, Tinker Field.
* DeLand at Sanford, Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium.
* Winter Park at Orlando Freedom, Orel Hershiser Field.
Saturday, July 21
* Leesburg at Orlando Monarchs, Tinker Field.
* Orlando Freedom at DeLand, Conrad Park.
* Sanford at Winter Park, Alfond Stadium.
Sunday, July 22
* 1 p.m. _ Orlando Monarchs at Winter Park, Alfond Stadium.
* 5 p.m. _ DeLand at Sanford, Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium.
* 5 p.m. _ Leesburg at Orlando Freedom, Orel Hershiser Field.