In a week that had several impressive candidates, Harrisburg senior Reid Roper earned The Porsche Exchange POW honors by delivering a statistically staggering week. During a string of seven games last week, the University of Illinois recruit went 13-for-16 with five home runs, four doubles, one triple, 15 RBI and 13 runs scored. On the mound, the 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander earned two victories and a save, allowing one earned run in nine innings.

Roper’s performance helped No. 2 Harrisburg to a 7-0 week, including victories over Edwardsville, Cary-Grove and Simeon. The left-handed hitting shortstop’s binge began last Saturday when he went 1-for-1 with a home run and a few walks. Then in a doubleheader sweep of No. 30 Edwardsville and Simeon on Monday, Roper went 7-for-7 with three home runs, two doubles and a triple. He then followed it up on Tuesday with a 3-for-3 showing with another home run. Roper finally made an out on Wednesday, but not before blasting another home run and a triple.

For the season, Roper is hitting .724 (21-for-29) with six homers, six doubles, two triples, 21 runs and 20 RBI. On the mound, he’s 3-0 with one save and has allowed one earned run in 14 innings.

“I’ve never seen anything like this out of anyone before,” said venerable Harrisburg coach Jay Thompson, who has won two state championships at the school. “He’s seeing the ball so well and his timing is tremendous. ... He’s really a man among boys right now.”

Please send all player nominations for Porsche Exchange Player of the Week to Sean Duncan at [email protected]. Nominations should be emailed by Sunday night at the end of the previous week of games.

The Porsche Exchange salutes Reid Roper for his hard work and success.
Week of March 29, 2010.