DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has named its Dick Howser Trophy Players of the Month for May, presented by The Game Headwear, tabbing South Carolina catcher Cole Messina its hitter of the month and Oregon State’s Aiden May its national pitcher of the month.
Messina, a native of Summerville, S.C., hit .450 (27-for-60) over 17 games in May, slugging four doubles, one triple and 10 homers, with 32 RBI. He drew 17 walks and stole five bases, totaling a 1.050 sluging and a .575 on-base percentage. His 10 homers, 23 runs scored and 32 RBI led all Southeastern Conference players during the month. He was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team after going 9-for-17 with four homers and a tourney record 16 RBI during the event. Over the course of his junior year, Messina hit .326 (73-for-224) with 19 doubles, one triple, 21 homers and 71 RBI, drawing 50 walks and swiping eight bags.
A native of Albuquerque, N.M., May went 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA in five starts during May for the Beavers, who have advanced to the NCAA Lexington Super Regional. He worked 29 innings, allowing only 24 hits and six earned runs, walking 10 and striking out 34. Over his 13-start season in 2024, May has gone 7-0 with a 2.88 ERA in 68.2 innings, allowing 54 hits and 22 walks, fanning 79.
This marks the ninth consecutive year that the NCBWA has honored a hitter 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, www.ncbwa.com.