DALLAS (NCBWA) Slugging outfielder Andy King of Hamline University and no-hit hurler Mitch Hunnicutt of Hanover College have earned the first NCAA Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week honors for 2012, covering games of February 27-March 4, as voted on by a panel of D-III members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
King, a senior left fielder from Fort Myers, Fla., went 9-for-12 (.750) as the Pipers went 3-1, splitting a twinbill with Wisconsin-Stout and then defeating Edgewood twice, all in the Metrodome. The right-handed hitter had a double, two triples, and two home runs for a 1.667 slugging percentage, with 11 RBI and five runs scored. He also had a sacrifice fly, a walk , and a stolen base. He had a five-RBI game with a three-run homer in a 7-3 win over Stout, and closed with a five-RBI game in a 12-6 win over Edgewood. After starting out the season 0-for-6, he has gone 13-for-19 in a six-game hitting streak since.
Hunnicutt, a sophomore right-hander from Seymour, Ind., tossed the fifth no-hitter in Hanover history and was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. He tossed a seven-inning, complete game no-hitter to lead the Panthers to a 7-0 win over Milwaukee School of Engineering in the season opener. In the contest, Hunnicutt struck out seven and walked only one. It was Hanovers first no-hitter since 1989. He followed that performance with a no-decision against Cornell (IA), allowing six hits with three runs and four strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work as the Panthers earned a 16-3 victory. For the week, he was 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA, striking out 11 in 11.1 innings.
Honorable Mention Hitters: Matt Thompson (McMurry) - .800 (8-10), 1 double, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, 7 runs, 1.500 slugging pct.; Nick Stoia (Franklin) - .500 (14-28), 11 doubles, 12 RBI, 10 runs, 2 stolen bases, .893 slugging pct.; Jonny LoVetere (Manhattanville) - .750 (9-12), 1 double, 6 RBI, 5 runs, .833 slugging pct.; Shane Alvarez (Kean) - .588 (10-17), 3 doubles, 3 RBI, 6 runs, 6 stolen bases, .765 slugging pct.; Zach Kessinger (Washington-St. Louis) - .526 (10-19), 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 5 runs, .737 slugging pct.; Trey Martin (Wheaton IL) - .700 (7-10), 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, 3 runs, 1.500 slugging pct.; Kyle Newcomb (Averett) - .571 (8-14), 4 doubles, 1 triple, 9 RBI, 7 runs, 1.000 slugging pct., Kyle Moyes (Whitman) - .500 (5-10), 3 home runs, 6 RBI, 5 runs, 1.400 slugging pct.
Honorable Mention Pitchers: Greg Goldsmith (Christopher Newport) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 14.0 ip, 8 hits, 15 strikeouts; Kevin Hergett (Kean) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 1 hit, 8 strikeouts; Mike Trotta (Augustana) - 2-0, 1.29 ERA, 14.0 ip, 2 cg, 11 hits, 13 strikeouts; Isaac Behme (Webster) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.0 ip, 1 hit, 6 strikeouts; Spencer Smith (McMurry) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 hits, 8 strikeouts; Pat Clark (Misericordia) - 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 7.0 ip, 5 hits, 6 strikeouts; Rob Dittrick (Pacific OR) - 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts; Parker Sheets (Texas-Tyler) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.0 ip, 7 hits, 7 strikeouts.
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.
2012 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week:
March 4: Andy King, Hamline (Hitter); Mitch
Hunnicutt, Hanover (Pitcher)
· March
11: Zach Hofer, Elmhurst (Hitter); Blaine O'Brien, Keystone (Pitcher)
· March 18: Gregg Steinman, Moravian (Hitter);
Steve Maher, St. Thomas (Pitcher)
· March
25: Bruce Maxwell, Birmingham-Southern (Hitter); Brian Ranta, George Fox (Pitcher)
· April 1: Dan Fiorito, Manhattanville (Hitter);
Jarrett Gish, Case Western Reserve (Pitcher)
·
April 8: Matt Thompson, McMurry (Hitter); Jhonneris
Mendez, Suffolk (Pitcher)
· April 15:
Kyle Cook, Centre (Hitter); Kyle Cunningham-Rhoads, Wooster (Pitcher)
·
April 22: Edwin Moser, DeSales (Hitter); Tyler
Erickson, Castleton State (Pitcher)
·
April 29: Tim Saunders, Marietta (Hitter); Kyle Szatrowski, UMass-Boston (Pitcher)
· May 6: Brett Van Asdlen, Aurora (Hitter);
Bill Oppriecht, Wisconsin-Plattevile (Pitcher)