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| Photo Credits: Gallaudet athletics photo Chapman athletics photo Dubuque athletics photo |
Member institutions of the North Eastern Athletic Conference, Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference gained top accolades on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s Division III Hitter, Pitcher and Rookie of Week announcement for April 30-May 6.
HITTER OF WEEK
Junior infielder Cameron Upton of Gallaudet helped the Bison conclude 2018 in style. During a 3-1 week, the Vicksburg, Miss., native had six extra-base hits and finished the week with 26 total bases to post an outstanding .850 on-base percentage. Upton also had 12 RBIs, ten runs scored and two stolen bases in the stretch. The highlight of his week came in the final game of the season against SUNY Cobleskill when Upton hit for the cycle in a 6-for-7 day at the plate. In four games, Upton posted an. 889 batting average and a 1.444 slugging percentage.
Past Hitters of the Week: John Arancio, Southern Vermont
Colman Hendershot, New York University
Austin Parent, Pitt-Bradford
Chris Fowler, UMass-Boston
Tommy Epsaro, DeSales
Daytona Bryden, UW-Whitewater
Will Welsh, Lancaster Bible
Carson Cox, Concordia (Texas)
Ben Sexton, Emory and Henry
Joesph Belarde, Iowa Wesleyan
Honorable Mention Hitter: Frank Podkul, 3B, Sr., Franklin College – Mashed to the tune of a .480 (12-for-25) average, belting six home runs, driving in 19 runs and scoring eight times as Franklin went 4-1 last week to close out the regular season. Podkul played a significant factor in helping the Grizzlies clinch the HCAC regular season crown with Tuesday’s sweep of Anderson, hitting a pair of home runs as Franklin swept Anderson and locked up the top seed in the postseason tourney. He followed it up with a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, part of a four-RBI day against Otterbein. Podkul saved his most significant performance for the regular season ending twin bill against Defiance on Saturday, going seven-for-11 with three home runs and 10 RBI against the Yellow Jackets while setting new program records for home runs in a season (14) and career home runs (27) along the way.
PITCHER OF WEEK
Junior Tyler Peck enabled Chapman University to weave its way through the SCIAC tournament in route to the championship. The Corte Madera, Calif., native stepped up in the face of elimination to set the tone for a championship run through the loser’s bracket. After losing in the opening game of the tournament, Chapman gave the ball to Peck to keep them alive. He tossed an absolute gem with a three-hit, 14-strikeout, complete game shutout of Pomona-Pitzer in the first elimination game. Eight of those 14 Ks came in the final four innings as he secured Chapman’s 6-0 victory. The 14 strikeouts were a career-high for the junior and his fifth double-digit strikeout game of the season. He lowered his ERA to 2.27 and upped his average to 12.11 strikeouts per nine, which ranks 20th in the nation. His 4.67 hits allowed per nine ranks fourth nationally.
Past Pitcher of the Week: Cam Graham, Husson
Ryan Orr, Kalamazoo
Jack Herzin, Penn State-Behrend
Matt D'Ambrosia, Muhlenburg
Charlie Ruegger, Stevens
Ryan Miller, Benedictine
Colin Coffey, Luther
Greg Schneider, Frostburg State
Patrick Mayback, Salve Regina
Jimi Keating, Spalding
Honorable Mention Pitcher: Sean Pavlik, jr., Penn St.-Berks - Allowed just one hit and did not issue a walk in a complete-game shutout at Penn College on May 5. He allowed only two baserunners, with one reaching on an error, and struck out six to improve to 4-1 on the year. With the regular season complete, Pavlik ranks third in the league with a 1.91 ERA against NEAC opponents.
ROOKIE OF WEEK
University of Dubuque infielder Kellen Mitchell delivered in big spots through the week for the Spartans, as UD wrapped up its first Iowa Conference title. He hit .615 with eight hits, seven runs, six RBI, one double, three triples and four walks. The most prominent highlight of the span for the Batavia, Ill., native was an eight-for-10 effort at the dish in a weekend series sweep of Nebraska Wesleyan in which the Spartans’ slugger drove in six runs, scored seven of his own and collected three triples and a double.
Past Rookie of the Week: Austin Fox, Ripon
Jack Koch, Union
Jack Koch, Union
Joel Pierce, Wheaton (Ill.)
Jack Layrisson, La Grange
Shayne Audet, New England College
Isaiah Ausby, Cavenovia
Justin Provost, Rowan
Justin Green, St. Mary's (Minn.)
Tristen Luck, Methodist
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters, and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Player of the Year Award, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.