NCBWA NAMES DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) A torrid week in Arizona by Michael Pascarella of the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford and a no-hit effort by Lee Schurlknight of Sewanee University of the South have earned them the second NCAA Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week honors for 2011, covering games of March 7-13, as voted on by a panel of D-III members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.


Pascarella, a freshman second baseman from Bradford, Pa., batted .741 (20-27) in the final seven games of the Panthers 5-4 spring break trip to Arizona. He collected 11 RBIs and scored 15 runs on six extra base hits (two doubles, three triples, and one home run) with a 1.148 slugging pct. He also drew two walks, got hit twice, and stole a base. In a doubleheader sweep of Southern Vermont, he went 9-for-10 with seven runs scored and five RBIs, and had three more three-hit games and a pair of two-hit games. Pascarella was named the Allegheny Mountains Collegiate Conference Player of the Week.


Schurlknight, a freshman left-hander from Darlington, S.C., threw a no-hitter in a 19-0 win against Rust College in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday. He pitched a complete seven-inning game, struck out 12, and walked just two to earn his first win in a Tiger uniform. Schurlknight was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week.


Honorable Mention Hitters: Kyle Just (Spalding) - .900 (9-10), 1 double, 2 triples, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 6 runs, 1.700 slugging pct.; Erik Bergstrom (Keene State) - .700 (7-10), 2 doubles, 1 triple, 9 RBI, 1.100 slugging pct.; Kenny Durling (Misericordia) - .591 (13-22), 5 doubles, 1 home run, 9 RBI, 8 runs, .955 slugging pct.; John Schiotis (Salisbury) - .538 (7-13), 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 12 RBI, 7 runs, 1.153 slugging pct.; Austin Groves (SUNY-Purchase) - .538 (7-13), 5 doubles, 5 runs, .923 slugging pct.; Chris Ray (Alvernia) - .538 (14-26), 2 doubles, 4 stolen bases, 3 RBI, 9 runs, .615 slugging pct.


Honorable Mention Pitchers: Andrew Kirk (Alvernia) - 2-0, 0.69 ERA, 13.0 ip, 1 cg, 8 hits, 19 strikeouts; Luke Probasco (Buena Vista) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 1 hit, 8 strikeouts; Connor Henderson (College of New Jersey) - 1-0, 0.60 ERA, 15.0 ip, 1 cg, 9 hits, 9 strikeouts; Noah Solomon (Trinity TX) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 4 hits, 12 strikeouts; Cody Colly (Mt. Union) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 ip, 2 hits, 12 strikeouts; Justin Prejsnar (Westminster PA) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 5 hits, 10 strikeouts; David Mueller (Webster) - 2-0, 1.76 ERA, 15.1 ip, 15 hits, 13 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.


2011 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week:

March 6: Kevin Brashears, Shenandoah
(Hitter); Matt McAllister of Penn State-Abington (Pitcher)


· March 13: Michael Pascarella, Pittsburgh-Bradford
(Hitter); Lee Schurlknight, Sewanee (Pitcher)


· March 20: Jonathan Mason, Bridgewater
(Hitter); Josh Scott, Baldwin-Wallace (Pitcher)


· March 27: Dan Haugh, Wheaton (Hitter);
Mike McManus, Mt. St. Vincent's (Pitcher)


· April 3: Trent Svehla, Simpson (Hitter);
Mark DiTomasso, Western New England (Pitcher)


· April 10: Ryan Darner, Thomas More
(Hitter); Travis Ratliff, SUNY-Cortland (Pitcher)


· April 17: Brandon O'Connell, Wisconsin-Stout
(Hitter); Sean White, Dickinson (Pitcher)


· April 24: John Snyder, Marietta (Hitter);
Mike Russo, Kean (Pitcher)


· May 1: Matt Bittner, Penn State-Behrend
(Hitter); Max Henry, Saint Vincent (Pitcher)


· May 8: Mike Nodzenski, Grinnell (Hitter);
Joe Sweeney, Illinois Wesleyan (Pitcher)