NCBWA NAMES DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) Member institutions of the Little East Conference, Centennial Conference and Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin picked up Hitter, Pitcher, and Rookie of the Week recognition for April 2-8.


Hitter of the Week: UMass-Boston senior infielder Chris Fowler batted .750 (12-16) and posted a 1.688 slugging percentage while racking up four doubles, one triple, three home runs, six RBI and seven runs scored in a 4-0 week for the ninth-ranked Beacons. The Barnstable, Mass., native started the week by going 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in an 11-9 win over Worcester State before going 5-for-5 with three solo homers in a 16-6 win over the Lancers two days later. He capped the week by going 5-for-9 with two doubles, one triple, three RBI and three runs scored in a conference sweep of Western Connecticut.


Honorable Mention Hitter: Brennan Cotter, Sr., 1B, Catholic - Recorded ten hits in 12 at-bats for a .833 batting average to help Catholic to a 3-1 week. Cotter added 10 RBIs and five runs over four games including five RBIs and three runs on two home runs and a double in the Cardinals series-opening win over the Blue Jays. The Oakland, N.J. native hit 3-of-3 in game two of the series while batting 2-of-3 in game three.


Pitcher of the Week: Sophomore Matt DAmbrosia of Muhlenberg had a game for the Mules· record book April 5. The Hightstown, N.J., native pitched a three-hit shutout, allowing just one free pass and fanning a career-best 15 in a 1-0 win against Dickinson. His 15 punch-outs were the most by a Muhlenberg pitcher in 31 years.


Honorable Mention Pitcher: Max Bair, Sr., Penn College - Tossed five no-hit innings before surrendering two hits and one walk in a complete-game shutout victory. He also struck out eight batters against Wells College to improve to 2-1 on the year.


Rookie of the Week: Infielder Joel Pierce batted .750 (6-for-8) with one run, two doubles, one triple, five RBIs and a 1.250 slugging percentage for the Wheaton College of Illinois Thunder last week. The Centennial, Colo., native was 2-for-2 with one run, one double, two RBIs and two walks in a 12-1 win over Illinois Wesleyan on April 5. Pierce was then 2-for-3 with one triple, one RBI and one walk in a 3-2 win over the Titans in game one of a double header on April 7. He finished the weekend series going 2-for-3 with one double and two RBIs in game two against Illinois Wesleyan.


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 Dick Howser Player of the Year Award, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.