SAN ANTONIO (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has named its Dick Howser Trophy Players of the Month for April, presented by The Game Headwear, tabbing Old Dominion slugger Matt Coutney its player of the month and Florida State lefty hurler Parker Messick its pitcher of the month.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Coutney hit .455 (30-for-66) with 26 runs scored, 14 homers and 28 RBI over 17 games during the month of April. He slugged four doubles, had a 13-16 walk-strikeout ratio and stole two bases, sporting a 1.152 slugging and a .543 on-base percentage.
On the year, Coutney ranks second in the nation with a school-record 22 homers, batting .361 (57-for-158) in 41 games with nine doubles and 48 RBI. He owns an .835 slugging percentage and a .472 on-base percentage.
Messick, a native of Plant City, Florida, leads the nation in strikeouts following a prolific month in April that saw him fan 51 in 31 1/3 innings while issuing just one walk. He made five starts with a 2.30 ERA, allowing only 23 hits and eight runs, holding foes to a .205 batting average. He earned NCBWA and Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week honors on April 19 after punching out a career-best 14 hitters vs. No. 9 Louisville in 6 2/3 innings. Last weekend, he earned ACC Pitcher of the Week honors again with seven shutout innings vs. No. 7 TCU, allowing just two hits and no walks.
In 2022, Messick has a 6-2 record and a 2.60 ERA in 11 starts, working 69 1/3 innings, allowing 47 hits and 12 walks, striking out 116 and holding opponents to a .190 clip at the plate.
This marks the seventh consecutive year that the NCBWA has honored a player and pitcher of the month. Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, ncbwa.com.2022