Utica Blue Sox infielder Norris McClure (Spring Hill) has been named Player of the Week for the East Division after slashing .647/.684/.765 during Utica’s 2-2 week. In 17 at bats during the first week of the season, McClure tallied 11 hits, five runs, two walks, five RBI and six stolen bases. During Utica’s season opener on Thursday, a 13-10 victory over the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs, McClure doubled then scored the first run of the game in the top of the first, then he delivered a two-run single to left field and came around to score on a home run by Will Shannon (Hillsdale) during Utica’s seven-run inning in the top of the fourth.

During Friday’s 5-3 road loss against Watertown, McClure went 2-3 at the plate with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. The Blue Sox scored two runs in the top of the first against the Rapids and McClure played a part in plating both runs. With one out and Utica center fielder Easton Brenner (Lafayette) standing on second base, McClure ripped a single to center field to drive him in and break the 0-0 tie. An error by the center fielder allowed McClure to advance to second on the play, then he stole third base with Shannon at the plate. Shannon then drove in McClure with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 in favor of the Blue Sox.

With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the eighth, McClure delivered a two-out single with nobody on base, then he stole second to give the Blue Sox a runner in scoring position, but Rapids reliever Ryan Peters (Brockport) recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

McClure went a perfect 5-5 at the plate with two runs scored, two RBI and two stolen bases during Utica’s home opener on Saturday against Oneonta, which resulted in a 7-6 loss for the Blue Sox.

For the third consecutive game, McClure helped the Blue Sox get on the board in the opening inning. McClure recorded a base hit with a one out and a runner on third in the bottom of the first on Saturday, then he stole second base and came around to score later in the inning to give his team an early 2-0 lead.

He began Utica’s two-run inning in the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff single. He scored his second run of the game later in the inning as the Blue Sox took a 5-4 lead. McClure delivered his fifth and final hit of the game in the bottom of the ninth before the Blue Sox tied the game at 6-6.

As the Blue Sox got back in the win column with a 4-2 victory at Boonville on Sunday, McClure went 2-4 at the plate with a double and a stolen base.

The Blue Sox will play Boonville again on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Utica’s Donovan Stadium.

Boonville Lumberjacks right-handed pitcher Jacob Phillips (Guilford) has been named the East Division Pitcher of the Week after leading the Lumberjacks to a 9-1 win over Watertown in their season opener on Thursday. Phillips went 8.0 innings and allowed just two hits, one run and four walks with eight strikeouts during his first start of the campaign. Phillips surrendered one hit and the sole run in his final inning of work.

The Lumberjacks (1-2) will return to action on Tuesday when they take on Utica at 10:30 a.m.