The Ellsworth Community College Panther baseball team opened its season this past week, travelling to Oklahoma to play four games. Two ECC players were recognized for their efforts during those games.

Third baseman Sebastian Holte-Mancera (Woodbury, MN) was named Position Athlete of the Week by the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). Holte-Mancera went 5 for 12 from the plate and picked up a hit in each of the four games in the series including a solo home run in the third game against Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa. He also had three walks, bringing his on-base percentage to .533 for the season. Last season, Holte-Mancera batted .328 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 58 games.

Right-handed Pitcher Kyle Schmitt (West Des Moines, IA) was named ICCAC Pitcher Athlete of the Week. In his appearance against Norhtern Oklahoma-Tonkawa, Schmitt allowed six hits in five innings and just one earned run; he struck out seven batters. Last season, Schmitt pitched 57.2 innings for the Panthers and struck out 51 batters in 15 appearances.