The Alton Redbirds are off to a hot 12-4 start, and OF Austin Rathgeb (2024) has been a driving force in their offense, helping them to go 4-1 this past week. He finished the five-game slate at a 9-for-13 clip, tallying two home runs, four doubles, eight RBIs, eight runs scored, five walks and a stolen base. For his efforts, Rathgeb has been named this week’s ‘Player of the Week’. 

Arguably his best game of the week came in a 16-0 win over East St. Louis on Thursday, where he went 2-for-2 with a home run, double, two RBIs, three runs scored and a walk. The very next game, Alton took down East St. Louis once again by the score of 21-1, and Rathgeb chipped in going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. 

The Redbirds split their double-header on Saturday, taking home a 5-2 win over Freeburg in which Rathgeb went a perfect 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBIs, a run scored and a walk. They fell the following game to Gillespie, but Rathgeb still had a strong showing, as he delivered a home run with four RBIs, a run scored and two walks. 

His week started on a high note in a 6-3 win over Roxana on Monday, going 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk. 

An uncommitted senior, the right-handed hitter is now boasting a .477 average in 44 at-bats with a .603 OBP, 1.467 OPS, .864 SLG, five doubles, four home runs, 15 RBIs, 18 runs scored, 11 walks and seven stolen bases - also hitting safely in 12/15 games played with a current six-game hit streak. 

We're thankful for the POTW submissions we received from the coaches across the state. The players who garnered POTW consideration will earn a place within tomorrow's Diamond Notes story, so be on the lookout for that.

Related Content