DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its weekly NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards of the season for the week ending on April 13. Grand Valley State senior first baseman Giancarlo Brugnoni is the National Hitter of the Week while Drury senior right-hander Will Landsheft is the National Pitcher of the Week.
Grand Valley State senior Giancarlo Brugnoni (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) was a commanding presence at the plate last week, instrumental in the Lakers going 4-1 and holding on to the GLIAC lead in the standings. Brugnoni hit .643 (9-for-14) with an outstanding 1.143 slugging percentage and .762 on-base percentage. Brugnoni scored seven times, hit two home runs, drove in 11 and drew seven walks, including two intentional passes. Brugnoni went 3-for-3 with two runs, three RBI and a double against Saginaw Valley State, then followed that game with a 3-for-3, two-run, six RBI performance against Walsh with two home runs.
Drury senior Will Landsheft (Bixby, Okla.) went the distance for a second straight start and registered the program's second no-hitter in DU's 4-0 victory over William Jewell last Friday at Meador Park. He struck out 10 and walked one while improving to 5-2 on the season and pushing his Drury school record for career victories to 20 (20-5) with the seven-inning effort.
Division II Regional Players of the Week:
Atlantic: Spencer Wolfe, Shepherd (Hitter); Jim McDade, Millersville (Pitcher)
· Central: Patrick Rients, Southwest Minnesota State (Hitter); Eddie Cumpston, Northwest Oklahoma State (Pitcher)
· East: Mike Annone, Wilmington (Hitter); Tyler Badamo, Dowling (Pitcher)
· Midwest: Giancarlo Brugnoni, Grand Valley State (Hitter); Will Landsheft, Drury (Pitcher)
· South: Michael Danner, Tampa (Hitter); Jordan DeLorenzo, West Florida (Pitcher)
· South Central: Wes Koenig, St. Edward·s (Hitter); Colton Burleson, Tarleton State (Pitcher)
· Southeast: Ryan Metzler, USC Aiken (Hitter); Shaefer Shepard, Catawba (Pitcher)
· West: Ethan Sterkel, Central Washington (Hitter); Luke Barker, 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)