June 3, 2024

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

When the lights were shining the brightest, so was Reinhardt University outfielder Tucker Zdunich (High River, Alta.). 

In the Eagles’ opener of the NAIA World Series against eventual champion Hope International, Zdunich hit a three-run home run to tie it 5-5 in the top of the seventh in a game his team would go on to win 7-5. 

Game 2 resembled more of a football score than baseball, as the Eagles pulled out a 30-16 victory over Arizona Christian. Zdunich went 6-for-7 with a two-run home run, a three-run home run, a solo home run, a triple and nine RBIs. 

Next up was Georgia Gwinnett and Zdunich stroked a hit and drove in a run in a 6-4 win. 

After dropping their first game of the tournament to Tennessee Wesleyan, Zdunich walked in a 3-2 loss in the rematch as Reinhardt’s run came to an end. 

Zdunich finished the season with a .352 average, 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, a .448 on-base percentage and a .691 slugging percentage in 61 games. 

Tucker Zdunich is the Canadian Baseball Network College Player of the Week fro May 27 to June 2. 

Canadian Baseball Network College Player of the Week 

Week 1: INF Simon Grinberg (Kitchener, Ont.) - Keiser University 

Week 2: OF Francesco Barbieri (Brampton, Ont.) - Ave Maria University 

Week 3: INF Trent Lenihan (White Rock, BC) - University of British Columbia  

Week 4: INF Kalem Haney (Lethbridge, Alta.) - University of Mary 

Week 5: INF Johnny Vulcano (Cloverdale, BC) - Ottawa University 

Week 6: RHP Tyrelle Chadwick (Kamloops, BC) - Illinois State University 

Week 7: RHP Sean Heppner (Tsawwassen, BC by way of Point Roberts Wash.) - University of British Columbia 

Week 8: OF Carter Beck (Carnduff, Sask.) - University of Mary 

Week 9: RHP Ty Schaffer (Cardston, Alta.) - William Woods University 

Week 10: OF Payton McHarg (Saskatoon, Sask.) - Washburn University 

Week 11: INF Nash Crowell (Yarmouth, NS) - Reinhardt University 

Week 12: RHP Carter Krawchuk (St. Catharines, Ont.) - Seminole State Community College (Fla.) and C Logan Grant (Chestermere, Alta.) - Bellevue University 

Week 13: C/INF Wyatt Tweet (Russell Man.) - Bismarck State Community College 

Week 14: RHP Owen MacNeil (Georgetown, Ont.) - University of Charleston 

Week 15: LHP Jackson Soucie (Cambridge, Ont.) - Wabash Valley College 

Week 16: OF Tom Poole (Calgary, Alta.) - Dallas Baptist University 

Week 17: RHP Kaleb Waller (Drinkwater, Sask.) - Kankakee Community College 

Week 18: C Matt Ward (Mississauga, Ont.) - Niagara University 

Week 19: OF Tucker Zdunich (High River, Alta.) - Reinhardt University