DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its first NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the 2025 season and the week ending on February 2, 2025. Cameron (Okla.) senior third baseman Lance Barnett, is the National Hitter of the Week and Valdosta State (Ga.) senior righty Drake LaRoche is the National Pitcher of the Week.
Barnett (Fort Worth, Texas / Timber Creek HS) hit .563 with three home runs, three doubles, a triple and ten RBI over four road games against Texas A&M International. Barnett also scored eight runs, walked four times, was hit by a pitch and stole a base. In the series finale to help produce a split, going 5-for-5 with three homers and a triple. He also played errorless defense in the field.
LaRoche (Fort Scott, Kan. / Birmingham Southern) began the season with a convincing win at Rollins on Sunday. The senior right-hander made his Valdosta State debut as the rubber-match starter, logging six scoreless innings and surrendering only one hit in his debut performance. LaRoche tallied six strikeouts, zero walks on just 56 pitches, while facing 19 batters.
Division II Regional Players of the Week:
- Atlantic: No Nominees
- Central: Elliot Hermann, Fort Hays State (Hitter); Kolby Dougan, Pittsburg State (Pitcher)
- East: No Nominees
- Midwest: No Nominees
- South: Justin Wachs, Nova Southeastern (Hitter); Drake LaRoche, Valdosta State (Pitcher)
- South Central: Lance Barnett, Cameron (Hitter); Kobe Jaramillo, St. Edward’s (Pitcher)
- Southeast: Landon Morkis, Emmanuel (Hitter); Payne Stolsworth, Catawba (Pitcher)
- West: Brandham Ponce, Central Washington (Hitter); Evan Tomlinson, Chico State (Pitcher)
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.
2025 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:
- Feb. 6: Lance Barnett, Cameron (Hitter, South Central); Drake LaRoche, Valdosta State (Pitcher, South)