Durand, Arteaga of Rock Valley sweep NJCAA DIII Weekly Awards

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has selected Rock Valley College teammates Erik Durand and Carlos Arteaga as the Division III Pitcher and Player of the Week for March 19-25 (Week 9). The awards are the first such career accolades for both players and the first this season for the Golden Eagles, while the duo become the second and third players from NJCAA Region IV to be recognized.

Durand did not give up a single run in a 2-0 defeat of Olive-Harvey College on March 20. The freshman from Pecatonica, Illinois, tossed seven innings, allowed two hits, walked one batter, and recorded a season-best seven strikeouts.

Arteaga batted .516 with 13 runs batted in and nine runs scored as the Golden Eagles posted a 6-2 record during the week. The freshman from Rockford, Illinois, posted back-to-back three-hit games in a doubleheader sweep of Illinois Valley Community College on March 23.