JONESBORO, Ark. (7/28/09) – Arkansas State senior catcher Kyle DeGrace and redshirt freshman pitcher Justin O’Brien both received honors from their respective leagues this week for their play on the diamond this summer.  DeGrace was named the Rawlings Canadian Intercounty Baseball League Player of the Week, while O’Brien was named to the All-Star team in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee Summer Collegiate Baseball League.

Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, DeGrace hit .692 with two doubles, one home run, two stolen bases, six RBI and a sacrifice fly.  DeGrace went 9-for-13 on the week to bump his season average to .449 and take over the lead in the league’s batting race.  He belted out three hits in all three of his games played during the week and is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak, with multiple hits in all seven games.

The KIT League leader in strikeouts per inning at 1.57, O’Brien finished the season with 75 strikeouts in 47 and two-thirds innings with an ERA of 2.08 while playing for the Marion Bobcats.  O’Brien will get the start when Marion opens play tonight in the opening round of the KIT League playoffs.