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Joey Rico

The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by Commissioner Rob Neyer, are Kamloops NorthPaws outfielder-pitcher Joey Rico (Westmont College) and Walla Walla Sweets right-hander Zachary Hangas (Ottawa University).

In six games with the NorthPaws last week, Rico racked up 10 hits and ran his hitting streak to eight games. And Sunday afternoon against the Walla Walla Sweets, he not only connected for his first home run of the season, but also pitched the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season in the team’s 7-5 comeback win.

Friday night, Hangas tossed a nine-inning shutout in Kamloops, for his first pitching victory and the WCL’s second shutout this season. In his hyper-efficient outing, Hangas struck out two NorthPaws, issued zero walks, and needed only 91 pitches. At Ottawa University Arizona this spring, Hangas paced the Spirit with eight wins and 73 strikeouts.

About the West Coast League: The West Coast League is the West’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Encompassing Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and now Alberta, the WCL showcases pro prospects from major collegiate conferences around the nation. Every summer, the League features unparalleled fan and player experiences, with North America’s best baseball weather and a mix of classic and modern ballparks, all backdropped by the sport’s most stunning scenery. The 2019 MLB amateur draft began with former Corvallis Knight Adley Rutschman selected with the overall No. 1 pick by the Baltimore Orioles, and the 2022 draft featured two West Coast League alumni, Brooks Lee and Gabriel Hughes, among the first 10 picks.