Mentor graduate Andrew Frey's senior baseball season at Case Western Reserve includes few glitches and numerous awards.

Frey, the Spartans' shortstop and No. 2 hitter, received University Athletic Association Hitter of the Week honors for the second time this season. Frey was an easy choice for the award. In a doubleheader sweep of nearby Oberlin, Frey produced fantasy numbers: 8-for-11 with two doubles, seven RBI and four runs.

Hitting .727 in two games raised Frey's season batting average to .381. He also entered this week with a team-high 49 RBI.

His play has helped Case ascend to No. 16 in the NCBWA/D3baseball.com Division III poll. The Spartans, who entered this week 25-7, are the second highest ranked team in Ohio behind No. 7 Heidelberg. Case and Heidelberg meet on April 23 in University Circle.

This is a prosperous period for Case baseball. The Spartans went 29-14 and reached the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional play last season. They are in position to qualify for the NCAA Division III tournament for a second straight year.

Frey represents a big part of Case's rise. He hit .317 with 22 RBI playing second and third base last season. His role as a senior expanded when he opened 2014 as the Spartans' starting shortstop.

The Spartans end the regular season April 29 against John Carroll. It will be a memorable regular-season finale for Frey. Case and John Carroll are playing at Progressive Field.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Ohio University center fielder and Mayfield graduate Mitch Longo leads the Mid-American Conference with a .426 batting average.

A senior with the same last name might prevent one of the MAC's rising stars from earning a conference batting title as a freshman.

Eastern Michigan senior Lee Longo is one of the leading candidates to overtake Mitch in the batting race. Lee ranks fifth in the MAC with a .378 average.

Mitch and Lee have both appeared in 24 games. Mitch has a 48-point cushion over his brother, but Lee has experienced the rigors of MAC play.

Either way, it might be tough finding a better brother tandem in the country.

Mitch hits leadoff for Ohio. Lee, an All-MAC selection last season, bats cleanup for Eastern Michigan. Mitch owns a nine-game hitting streak while Lee has 12 multi-hit games.

Three players sit between the pair in the conference batting race: Kent State's Zarley Zalewski, Toledo's Deion Tansel and Bowling Green's Brian Bien.  

Having two entries in the race could bode well for the Longo family, and perhaps bring a MAC batting title to Mayfield.

MAC batting leaders

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Look out Urban Meyer. You might have competition for the title of biggest Indians fan among Big Ten football coaches.

Nebraska baseball coach Darin Erstad, who played 14 season in the major leagues, received an interesting call from a fan named "Bo in Lincoln" during his radio show Tuesday. The fan happened to be the most popular -- or embattled -- man in perhaps the entire state: Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini.

Erstad quickly put the name and voice together and chuckled. Pelini then asked Erstad about the Indians' World Series chances. Pelini had good reason for asking the question. He's a Youngstown native who remains connected to Ohio.

Like many baseball savants, Erstad respects Indians manager Terry Francona. But Erstad isn't ready to consider Francona's team World Series contenders.

"I would say the Cleveland Indians have an outside shot of winning the entire thing," Erstad said in response to Pelini's question. "I would have to say Cleveland Indians fans are the most loyal fans because they have nothing to cheer for over so many years and people that cheer for them I tip my hat. They have to be huge fans of Mr. Francona because he's done a great job. I'm pulling for them. I hope they do great. But I would be shocked if they get to the playoffs."

Pelini didn't seem enthused by Erstad's answer.

"You rain on my parade," Pelini said.

At least the fiery Pelini didn't unload on Erstad and the duo completed their impromptu segment without peeving the FCC.

If the Indians are seeking celebrities to throw out first pitches in 2014, Pelini might be a good fit. Pelini is looking to improve his image after some serious public relations flops in 2013 and he will likely be passing through Ohio for recruiting purposes.

Meyer, an Asthtabula native, threw out a first pitch in 2012. Pelini wouldn't incite the same cheers. But the Indians promote their fans' passion, and few men display as much on a regular basis as "Bo from Lincoln."

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy