Tri-Valley’s Milton, Morton’s Lovell win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

Two of Central Illinois’ most feared sluggers took home Clutch Sports Media’s latest Spring Athletes of the Week honors after leading their teams in a string of wins.

Tri-Valley softball player Maren Milton and Morton baseball player Hudson Lovell won the honors as Milton produced big games in a trio of Vikings victories, two of which were in conference play, and Lovell hit a pair of home runs and 10 RBIs during four wins that were part of an eight-game Morton win streak.

Read more about our winners’ big performances and seasons and get to know them in Q and A’s below.

Milton won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 49 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Tri-Valley slugger batted .750 (12-16) during four games between April 20-April 24 with five extra base hits and eight RBIs. She went a perfect 5-5 with a double and two RBIs in a 14-0 win over Fisher on April 22, one day after going 3-4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs in a 10-6 win over Prairie Central. Milton had a triple, two singles and a pair of RBIs to help lift the Vikings in a 9-8 win over Tremont on April 24. Through 23 games this season, Milton is batting .463 with a team-high 38 hits and 33 RBIs plus nine doubles, three triples, a home run and 12 stolen bases.

Get to know Milton in a Q and A here: 

What’s been your favorite memory of your high school career so far? 

“My favorite memory of my high school career so far is hitting a grand slam my freshman year.”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“I would probably choose Elle [Fesler] because she is funny and we will have a good time.”

Favorite music artist?

“Bruno Mars.”

Favorite food?

“Steak.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I always eat an apple before every game and listen to music.”

What’s one thing that’s on your bucket list?

“I really want to go to Greece.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is my dad because he always encourages me to work hard.”

Lovell won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 59 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Potters’ catcher went 7-12 across four Morton wins, highlighted by a five-RBI, two-triple performance in a 14-4 win over Pekin on April 22. Lovell homered on April 20 while going 2-3 with three RBIs in a 14-0 over the Dragons on April 20 and homered again in a 7-5 win over Mt. Zion on April 24. He closed out his week by going 2-3 with a double in a 9-0 win over East Moline United on April 25. Through 24 games, Lovell leads Morton with a .391 batting average, 24 hits, 22 RBIs and five home runs.

Get to know Lovell in a Q and A here: 

What’s been your favorite memory of your high school career so far? 

“Favorite memory of high school so far is probably my walkoff home run against Galesburg my sophomore year.”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“I would be stranded with Owen Adams because he could build a good house and use materials well.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is Noah Kahan.”

Favorite food?

“Favorite food is steak.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I warm up the exact same way since my freshman year and drink the exact same electrolyte drink.”

What’s one thing that’s on your bucket list?

“One thing on my bucket list is going to Africa.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My biggest role model is my papa Dennis because of his outgoing personality and perseverance through life.”