DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announces its Hitter, Pitcher, and Rookie of the Week awardees for March 29-April 4.
Hitter of the Week: Sophomore infielder Justice Lucas recorded multiple hits in all five games during the span for the Eagles of Faulkner University, with each outing occurring versus teams ranked or receiving votes on the current NAIA poll. His story didn't end there, though, as he also homered in three contests. James' spotlight occurred in a doubleheader against Point, as the underclassman went four-for-eight with three runs scored, three extra-base hits, and eight RBI. He returned against No. 22-ranked Loyola (La.) to bash two homers as part of seven hits in a three-game set.
Pitcher of the Week: Junior Garrett Martin propelled the Middle Georgia State Knights to a series win over Stillman College on April 2 and 3 with a strong effort in the series opener. He struck out 12 and allowed only one unearned run on one hit in seven innings of work as part of a 5-1 victory.
Rookie of the Week: As the nomination suggested, pitcher/designated hitter Tucker Musgrove did it all for the Rams of the University of Mobile. In a series victory over Brewton-Parker College of Georgia April 2 and 3, he took to the mound to garner a no-decision in game one despite only allowing three hits in five innings. He belted three home runs in the finale, including a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth of the rubber match. Musgrove's big fly total marked only the second time since 2004 that a Southern States Athletic Conference has hit three bombs in a game.
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.
2021 NAIA Players of the Week:
Week ending Feb. 7: Daniel Myers, Benedictine (Hitter); Chris Koeiman, Tennessee Wesleyan (Pitcher); Trevor Ball, Presentation (Rookie)
· Week ending Feb. 14: Gary Mattis, Tennessee Wesleyan (Hitter); Benjamin Harris, Brewton-Parker (Pitcher/Rookie)
· Week ending Feb. 28: Pedro Nazario, Cumberlands (Hitter); Robert Gonzalez, Tennessee Wesleyan (Pitcher); Carson Ford, Texas Wesleyan (Rookie)
· Week ending March 7: Jayden Adams, Concordia, Neb. (Hitter); Eli Jackson, Blue Mountain (Pitcher); Thaniel Thumper, Doane (Rookie)
· Week ending March 14: Justin Brooks, Middle Georgia State (Hitter); Dan Monear, Rochester (Hitter); Joe Osborn, Doane (Rookie)
· Week ending March 21: Zachary Presnall, Mobile (Hitter); Antonio Frias, Faulkner (Pitcher); Stephen Still, Loyola (Rookie)
· Week ending March 28: Shane Stewart, Central Baptist (Hitter); Chris Wall, Columbia College (Pitcher); Evan Juniper, Kentucky Christian (Rookie)
· Week ending April 4: Justice Lucas, Faulkner (Hitter); Garrett Martin, Middle Georgia State (Pitcher); Tucker Musgrove, Mobile (Rookie)
· Week ending April 11: Aaron Saal, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Hitter); Travis Keys, Aquinas College (Pitcher); Hayden Sullivan, Ava Maria (Rookie)
· Week ending April 18: Josh Sears, Freed-Hardeman (Hitter); Jared Davis, Texas A&M-Texarkana (Pitcher); Blaize Minick, South Carolina-Beaufort (Rookie)
· Week ending April 25: Adrian Reed, Madonna (Hitter); Benjamin Harris, Brewton-Parker (Pitcher/Rookie)