Carroll's Weller, Joplin's Perry garner MINK weekly honors

The efforts of Carroll's Sam Weller and Joplin's Gabe Perry propelled each player's respective team to the top of the win column early in the season, and also earned weekly awards from the league.

Sam Weller, Merchants

Weller paved the way as the Carroll offense found its stroke, reeling off five straight wins behind league's top offense.

The Webb City, MO native was a spark for the Merchants batting .417 (5-12) with an eye-popping .611 on-base percentage, two home runs, eight RBIs, and seven runs scored to reel in MINK League Player of the Week honors.

Weller set the table as the lead-off man early in the week, but was moved down to fifth in the order to have more RBI opportunities in Carroll's game against Chillicothe. He came through with a 2-3 night, his second home run of the week, and a season-high four RBIs.

With Weller's help, the Merchants have scored 120 runs in their first 11 games.

Weller just finished his sophomore season with the Crowder College Roughriders.

Gabe Perry, Jailbirds

Perry stayed perfect on the season with two more solid outings to earn his first nod as MINK League Pitcher of the Week.

The Liberty, MO product delivered three scoreless innings against Nevada in a 10-3 win for Joplin. He followed it up with his second victory of the season giving up three earned runs across 5 2/3 innings against the North Missouri Nattys. Perry allowed just three hits through the first five innings to keep the Natty's off the scoreboard and give the Jailbirds offense plenty of time to open a seven-run cushion.

Perry is now 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 12 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings pitched this summer. He made 12 appearances during the spring collegiate season as a freshman for the Missouri Southern Lions.