Contact: Tim Ertle

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Cleveland State junior first baseman Dara Toman has been named the Horizon League Co-Softball Player of the Week for the week of March 26-April 1. Toman shared the honor with Valparaiso's Jordan Rutkowski, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.

"I'm really happy for Dara and what she has accomplished so far this year," head coach Angie Nicholson said. "She has worked hard to get this award and has been consistent all season long. We hope she will continue to do more of the same this year and collect this award many more times this spring."

Toman, who was named the league's Player of the Week once last season (Feb. 21) on her way to receiving second team all-league honors, was dialed in all week as she hit .467 (7-15) and slugged at a 1.533 clip over the five-game span. She scored nine runs and drove in 11 while amassing 23 total bases in two games against Robert Morris and three against Youngstown State.

She had two multi-home run games and five blasts on the week, including her first career grand slam against Youngstown State (March 31). After her week - which included round-trippers in three straight games - Toman leads the Horizon League with 14 home runs. Her total ties her for sixth nationally and she's eighth in the country in slugging percentage (.919).

Rutkowski tied Valpo's single-season home run record with her 11th of the year, a walk-off shot to end the Crusaders' 8-0 win over Green Bay in the series opener. In the second game of the day, the senior set a new Valpo single-season RBI record at 43 with a two-run double against the Phoenix. 

On the week, Rutkowski went 8-for-14 with six runs scored and nine RBI. Slugging 1.214 over the four games, Rutkowski clubbed a three-run homer earlier in the week in non-league action against Purdue.

Toman and the Vikings will host their Home Opener on Wednesday (April 4) when Niagara visits for a 3:00 p.m. game.