Josiah Kniep of the Peoria Christian baseball team is the Journal Star high school boys athlete of the week for March 30-April 4, presented by CEFCU.
The senior had a big-time day at the plate last week. Kniep went 3-for-4 with two home runs and seven RBIs as part of a 17-10 nonconference win over host Delavan on March 30. He hit a two-run homer in the first, then added a grand slam in the seventh. Kniep added an RBI-triple as part of a three-run fifth inning as PCS snapped a three-game skid.
The poll closed at noon Friday. Information about the other nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for the honor, email us at sports@pjstar.com or tag us on X @pjstarsports. Last week, Jackson Ahrens of the East Peoria baseball team was named JS boys athlete of the week.
Ben Lutz, Peoria Notre Dame track & field
The senior made the most of his outdoor season debut last week. Lutz won the 100-meter dash as part of a nonconference triangular with host Metamora and Eureka on March 30. He sprinted to a season-best victory in 11.48 seconds, winning by 0.04 seconds. Lutz then added a personal-best in the 200-meter dash (23.72 seconds).
Carter Lippens, Dunlap baseball
The junior put together a masterful pitching performance last week. Lippens tossed a no-hitter in a 10-0, five-inning victory over Peoria Notre Dame on March 30. He struck out 12 and walked two on 73 pitches, throwing 48 strikes. His outing jumpstarted a 5-0 week for the Eagles, who outscored those opponents, 38-2 and have won seven in a row.
Jackson Ahrens, East Peoria baseball
The senior had another incredible week. Ahrens hit for the cycle on March 30, making it back-to-back games where he recorded cycles. In the 11-8 loss to Troy (Ohio), he tripled in the first, singled in the third, doubled in the sixth and hit a seventh-inning, three-run homer. Ahrens finished his week with 13 hits, including three homers and 10 RBIs.
Tommy Sopko, Metamora tennis
The senior went undefeated through eight matches last week. He began his week with a 6-1, 6-0 victory in No. 2 singles on March 31 as part of a 9-0 win over Washington. He then posted a 6-4, 6-0 win in a No. 1 doubles match with Weston Lange. Sopko added two more Mid-Illini Conference victories on April 2 during a 9-0 win against Morton.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Christian baseball player voted Journal Star boys athlete of the week, presented by CEFCU
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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