The Republic-Times Athlete of the Week is Valmeyer High School baseball player Luke Blackwell. The sophomore is enjoying success at the plate and on the mound this spring for the Pirates, who are 11-6. Blackwell is hitting .444 with 10 extra base hits, 25 RBIs and 20 runs. On the mound, Blackwell is 4-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 22 and two-thirds innings.