Park University Gilbert outfielder/designated hitter Evan Vander Valk was named the Athletic Solutions GSAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Embry Riddle this past weekend. The Great Southwest Athletic Conference announced the winners of the baseball player and pitcher of the week today in a press release.

This is Vander Valk's first player of the week honor and the first for the Buccaneers in the GSAC. The last time a Park Gilbert player won player of the week kudos was Nick Miller on April 16, 2024 in the California Pacific Conference.  

Vander Valk had a great series at the plate against the Eagles hitting .583 (7-12) with a 1.334 OPS, three RBI, three walks and three runs scored. He also did not strike out over the series and created five runs for the Buccaneers over the series usings the Runs Created metric.

On Saturday, the Chandler, Ariz., native went 4-4 at the plate with a double, a walk and two RBI in Park's 8-5 win over ERAU.

He had hits in three of the four games in the series and reached base safely in all of them. He was walked twice in the series finale after putting up four-hits in the previous game.  

Vander Valk is hitting .349 on the season with an .895 OPS.