BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Alex Smith (Jr., Laguna Hills, Calif.) and Landon Kruer (Fr., Sellersburg, Ind.) were both recognized by the Patriot League with the release of its weekly honors, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon. Smith was selected as the Patriot League Player of the Week, while Kruer was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week.
 
Tuesday's weekly honor marks the third of Smith's career, while Kruer received his first career weekly accolade.
 
Smith helped lead Navy to a 3-1 record over four games last week, posting a .500 batting average (10-for-20) that included a double, a triple, seven runs scored and seven RBIs. The highlight of the four-game stretch for the junior came in the second game of the Mids' three-game series against Lehigh over the weekend, in which he went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs.
 
Additionally, Smith led Navy to victory in the final game of the series, posting a 2-for-5 showing that included a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning that secured a 3-2 decision in favor of the Midshipmen and a series victory over the Mountain Hawks.
 
Smith has proven to be a consistent presence in the middle of the Navy lineup throughout the season, hitting .317 (38-for-120) with two triples, two home runs, six doubles and 26 RBIs. The standout has also scored 23 runs, posted a .450 slugging percentage and reached base at a .371 clip.
 
Kruer earned the first weekly honor of his career pitching 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen last week, including earning his fifth save of the season in a 13-10 victory over Mount St. Mary's. He also earned his second win of the year on Sunday against Lehigh, pitching 1.2 hitless innings out of the bullpen to set up the aforementioned 10th-inning rally by Smith and the Navy offense.  
 
The freshman has totaled the second-most appearances amongst the Midshipmen pitching staff this season (12), yielding just a 2.40 ERA and a team-best .173 batting average against over 15 innings of work. The five saves by Kruer are tied for the eighth-most for a single season in program history, while the freshman is already tied for the 11th-most career saves by a Navy pitcher.
 
Tuesday's honors marked the second-straight week that Navy has earned weekly recognition from the Patriot League, as Colin Smith (Jr., Wilmington, Del.) was named the league's Player of the Week on April 12.  
 
The Mids are scheduled to return to action Wednesday as they welcome Bucknell to Annapolis to conclude their regular-season slate against the Bison. First pitch from Max Bishop Stadium is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.