No-hitter, improbable rally: Vote now for the J&C Athletes of the Week for April 1-6

Ethan Hanson, Lafayette Journal & Courier

LAFAYETTE — A stellar week of performances occurred in track and baseball games last week.

Four individuals in baseball and softball stood out, including a must-see comeback that occurred in below-freezing temperatures last week in West Lafayette.

It's time to reveal the four J&C Athletes of the Week candidates for performances between April 1-6.

Benton Central senior Tyler Klemme shown throwing a ball in the field in 2021 as a freshman is committed to Taylor University.
Benton Central senior Tyler Klemme shown throwing a ball in the field in 2021 as a freshman is committed to Taylor University.

Tyler Klemme

School: Benton Central

Sport: Baseball

Class: Senior

Team contributions: Klemme threw a dominant, five-inning no-hitter and struck out 14 batters to lead Benton Central over Rensselaer Central 10-0 in the second game of a doubleheader last Saturday. Klemme finished his day 2-of-3 at the plate which included belting a grand slam along with five RBIs, three walks, three runs scored and four stolen bases.

West Lafayette senior Camden Proctor went 1-for-3 at the plate and pitched two scoreless inning to rally the Red Devils to an improbably comeback victory over Delphi 14-13 after trailing by 10 runs in the bottom seventh last Friday.
West Lafayette senior Camden Proctor went 1-for-3 at the plate and pitched two scoreless inning to rally the Red Devils to an improbably comeback victory over Delphi 14-13 after trailing by 10 runs in the bottom seventh last Friday.

Camden Proctor

School: West Lafayette

Sport: Baseball

Class: Senior

Team contributions: Proctor with a calm hand in near-freezing temperatures helped West Lafayette overcome a 10-run deficit in the seventh inning to rally and beat Delphi 14-13 in eight innings at Bob Friend Field last Friday. Proctor went 1 of 3 at the plate and pitched two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth before senior Jacob Deutsch scored on a wild pitch to complete the walk-off victory in West Lafayette.

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Chelsea Parker

School: Harrison

Sport: Softball

Class: Senior

Team contributions: Parker, a DePaul commit powered the Raiders with her bat. Parker opened the season going 5-for-8 at the plate combined in a 13-9 loss to Cathedral last Tuesday and a 14-2 win over Tri-County last Friday. Parker slammed two home runs, a double and five RBIs.

Lafayette Jeff Bronchos Rilee Clifton (10) smiles after getting a double during the IHSAA softball game against the Clinton Prairie Gophers, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Lafayette Jeff won 24-4.
Lafayette Jeff Bronchos Rilee Clifton (10) smiles after getting a double during the IHSAA softball game against the Clinton Prairie Gophers, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Lafayette Jeff High School in Lafayette, Ind. Lafayette Jeff won 24-4.

Rilee Clifton

School: Lafayette Jeff

Sport: Softball

Class: Sophomore

Team contributions: The sophomore catcher and third baseman had an impressive performance against Faith Christian last Saturday. Clifton went 6-for-6 at the plate, including a home run and roping three doubles to lead the Bronchos to their first win 21-4.

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Vote now for the J&C Athletes of the Week for April 1-6

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