ATLANTA (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
(NCBWA) released its Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week
awards for the period ending April 11.
Rob Blackburn of Montclair State University (N.J.) was named National
Hitter of the Week, while Kyle Rensing of Blackburn College (Ill.)
was named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA reviews candidates from
Division III conferences each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout
the season.
Blackburn hit a perfect 1.000 (12-for-12) last week for the Red Hawks.
After going 2-for-2 in Montclair's 10-8 loss to New Jersey City, he went
4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the Red Hawks' 8-1 victory
over rival William Paterson (N.J.). He wrapped up the week by going a combined
6-for-6 in MSU's 7-5 and 12-3 road doubleheader sweep of Rutgers-Camden
(N.J.). He finished the week with totals of two doubles, one home run, seven
RBI, six runs scored and one stolen base. With his 12-for-12 performance,
Blackburn extended his school record streak of consecutive times reaching
base to 16. He also has broken the MSU school record for consecutive hits
with 13. The junior catcher also was selected Hitter of the Week by the
New Jersey Athletic Conference.
Rensing pitched a 13-inning, complete game 1-0 shutout over Greenville
(Ill.) to keep Blackburn in first place in a race for the St. Louis Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (SLIAC) championship. Rensing faced 47 batters, struck
out nine, and allowed only seven hits and a single walk. After back-to-back
shutouts, he is working on a string of 24 consecutive scoreless innings.
The junior also was selected Pitcher of the Week by the SLIAC.
Honorable Mention: Scott Vetter, Thomas More (Ky.), Keith Cooper,
Wheaton (Mass.) (Hitter); Andy Stottlemyer, Penn State Altoona, Tom Ford,
Rutgers-Camden (N.J.) (Pitcher).
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 Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player
of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason
All-American awards, publication and writing contests.
2004 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week:
• March 9: Sean Scott, Menlo (Hitter);
Nathan Soyer, Rose-Hulman (Pitcher)
• March 16: Jonathan Thomas, New
Jersey City (Hitter); Adam Huron, Haverford and James Halle, Louisiana College
(Pitcher)
• March 23: James Morgan, East
Texas Baptist (Hitter); Chris Lynn, Kenyon (Pitcher)
• March 30: Geoff Neese, Dickinson (Hitter);
Jeff Gogal, Montclair State (Pitcher)
• April 6: Ian Houze, DeSales (Hitter);
Scott Hyde, George Fox (Pitcher)
• April 13: Rob Blackburn, Montclair State (Hitter);
Kyle Rensing, Blackburn (Pitcher)
• April 20: J.R. Estes, Bridgewater (Hitter);
Jeremy Hinderks, Concordia College (Pitcher)
• April 27: Jeff Coté, SUNY-New Paltz (Hitter);
Tom O'Connor, Ithaca College (Pitcher)
• May 4: Mike Cohan, DeSales (Hitter); Julius Jenkins,
The College of New Jersey (Pitcher)
• May 11: Bryant Rogness, Gustavus Adolphus (Hitter);
Dale Koler, Baldwin-Wallace (Pitcher)