DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its weekly NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the week ending March 2. Flagler outfielder Nick Kranick is the National Hitter of the Week while Millersville junior righty Chris Murphy is the National Pitcher of the Week.
Kranick (Tampa, Fla.) had a big weekend series against No. 10 USC Aiken. He led the team with a .636 batting average, seven hits, seven runs scored, 11 total bases, a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .733 on-base percentage. His three-run home run in the eighth inning in Saturday's second game erased a two-run deficit and put Flagler ahead 10-9. Kranick is sixth in the PBC in doubles, seventh in runs scored and ninth in walks. This is the second-straight NCBWA National Hitter of the Week honor for the Flagler Saints, as teammate Andrew Brodbeck earned the same award last week.
Murphy (Newark, Del.) turned in a dominant performance against nationally-ranked Franklin Pierce, throwing a complete-game shutout with a season-high 10 strikeouts. Murphy surrendered just 3 hits and allowed a total of 5 base runners in 9 innings of work. Including last week's 7 scoreless against Tiffin, Murphy has now thrown 16 consecutive scoreless innings. Murphy was last years Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year and an NCBWA All-America 1st team selection.
Division II Regional Players of the Week:
Atlantic: Ryan Sanders, Notre Dame (Ohio) (Hitter); Chris Murphy, Millersville (Pitcher)
· Central: Zach Hoffmann, St. Cloud State (Hitter); Davis Ward, Ouachita Baptist (Pitcher)
· East: Zac Bellinger, St. Rose (Hitter); Tom Bammann, Dowling (Pitcher)
· Midwest: Cameron Walker, Wayne State (Mich.) (Hitter); Barry Arnett, Illinois Springfield (Pitcher)
· South: Sheehan Planas-Arteaga, Barry (Hitter); Cole Janousek, West Georgia (Pitcher)
· South Central: Rustin Thomas, Tarleton State (Hitter); Nick Hammett, Metro State (Pitcher)
· Southeast: Nick Kranick, Flagler (Hitter); Gunner Kines, Mount Olive (Pitcher)
· West: Joshua Banuelos, Fresno Pacific (Hitter); Nick Baker, Chico State (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-America awards, publication and writing contests.
2014 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:
Feb. 2: Nick Perez, St. Leo (Hitter); David Ward, Ouchita Baptist (Pitcher)
· Feb. 9: Jordan Edgerton, UNC Pembroke (Hitter); Daniel Barfield, Francis Marion (Pitcher)
· Feb. 16: Hunter Boose, GRU Augusta (Hitter); Jordan DeLorenzo, West Florida (Pitcher)
· Feb. 23: Andrew Brodbeck, Flagler (Hitter); Matt McClain, St. Mary's (Pitcher)
· March 2: Nick Kranick, Flagler (Hitter); Chris Murphy, Millersville (Pitcher)
· March 9: Josh Coker, Lincoln Memorial (Hitter); Brannon Easterling, St. Edward's (Pitcher)
· March 16: Seth Tressler, Mansfield (Hitter); Joe Axelson, Southwest Minnesota State (Pitcher)
· March 23: Colby Painter, Lander (Hitter); Dan Altavilla, Mercyhurst (Pitcher)
· March 30: Giancarlo Saia, Lander (Hitter); Matt Kastelic, Notre Dame (Ohio) (Pitcher)
· April 6: Will Kengor, Slippery Rock (Hitter); Jonathan Russell, Queens (Pitcher)
· April 13: Giancarlo Brugnoni, Grand Canyon (Hitter); Will Landsheft, Drury (Pitcher)
· April 20: Tony Viger, Augustana (Hitter); Ryan O'Connor, Bentley (Pitcher)
· April 27: Jordan Liester, Colorado Mesa (Hitter); Josh Eagle, Cal State Monterey Bay (Pitcher)
· May 4: Payton Reed, Drury (Hitter); Dan Altavilla, Mercyhurst (Pitcher)