HERALD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: GLENBROOK NORTH'S ERIC ORLOFF

The top-flight University of Arizona baseball program knew what it was doing last July when it extended an offer to Glenbrook North senior Eric Orloff, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound, left-handed pitcher.

Armed with a fastball up around 90 miles per hour to go with his curveball and changeup, Orloff shut down Elk Grove's regional semifinal upset bid last Friday when he struck out seven of the eight batters he faced and picked up the win in an 11-10 Spartans victory.

"Eric is at his best in the biggest moments," said Glenbrook North coach Dom Savino.

Orloff returned to the mound Tuesday and struck out 17 more batters while allowing 2 hits and walking two batters in No. 2 seed Glenbrook North's 5-1 win over Lake Forest for the regional championship.

"Pitchers like Eric don't come along very often," Savino said. "There are very few athletes in any sport who can completely take over a game on their own. Eric is one of them."

On the season, the native Floridian owns a 7-2 record and a 1.15 earned-run average. In 48⅔ innings pitched Orloff has allowed just 22 hits, striking out 99 batters and walking 17.

Named the Central Suburban League pitcher of the year this spring, he's a two-time all-conference pitcher and was honored as Glenbrook North's team MVP as a sophomore after going 6-3 with a 2.68 ERA and 93 strikeouts.

"He is a young man who thrives on competition," Savino said. "Eric is deserving of every individual award he has received, but what is more impressive is the incredible impact he has on team success. His competitive spirit raises the performance level of his teammates."