DALLAS (NCBWA) – Ricky Angel of Illinois Wesleyan University put together a heavenly week at the plate while Jeremy Rubens of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh painted a masterpiece of relief pitching, earning the seventh NCAA Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week awards for the week of April 14-20, 2008, as chosen by members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Angel, a senior second baseman from Glen Ellyn, Ill., batted .500 (10-for-20) and had a 1.150 slugging percentage as the Titans were 4-1 last week. He drove home seven runs in two separate games, going 2-for-3 with a grand slam and seven RBI in a 16-5 win against Wheaton on April 19, and 2-for-6 with two three-run homers and seven RBI in a 14-12 win at Monmouth on April 15. He was also 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI in a 17-10 win at Wheaton on April 18. For the week, he had 22 RBI, four doubles and three homers, drew three walks and was hit by pitches twice for a .600 on-base percentage. In the win over Monmouth, he became the school’s all-time leader in career RBI with 153. Angel was the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Player of the Week.

Rubens, a sophomore right-hander from New Franken, Wisc., appeared in five contests in relief and pitched a total of 15 innings, posting a 3-0 record with two saves as UW-Oshkosh extended its winning streak to 12 games. He allowed nine hits and only two unearned runs, striking out six and walking two as opponents hit only .176. He picked up a pair of wins in victories of 7-6 (11 innings) and 7-5 (11 innings) over UW-La Crosse on April 14. He pitched a total of 9.1 innings against the Eagles, allowing six hits and two unearned runs. In a 3-2 win over No. 22 UW-Stevens Point, he pitched the final 1.1 innings to earn the save. He retired all four batters in faced, including one by a strikeout. After earning a save in an 8-7 win over UW-Stout on April 19, he recorded the victory in the Titans’ 9-5 win over UW-Stout on April 20. His victory came after he allowed just two hits in four scoreless innings. Rubens was the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.

Honorable Mention Hitters: Brian Hiscox (Otterbein) - .500 (14-28), 3 doubles, 5 home runs, 17 RBI, 12 runs, 1.143 slugging pct.; Brian Youchak (Johns Hopkins) - .619 (13-21), 1 double, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 15 RBI, 8 runs, 1.190 slugging pct.; Kyle Felix (Trinity TX) - .500 (6-12), 2 home runs, 8 RBI, 7 runs, 1.000 slugging pct.; Brad Demmin (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) - .424 (14-33), 2 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 16 RBI, 15 runs, .909 slugging pct.; Drew Van Cleave (Linfield) - .714 (10-14), 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 10 RBI, 9 runs, 1.143 slugging pct.; Dan Kaczrowski (Hamline) - .706 (12-17), 1 double, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 5 runs, .823 slugging pct.; Nick Beaman (Ripon) - .565 (13-23), 3 triples, 3 home runs, 13 RBI, 18 runs, 1.217 slugging pct.; Cory Dawson (Simpson IA) - .722 (13-18), 2 doubles, 6 RBI, 5 runs, .833 slugging pct.

Honorable Mention Pitchers: Phil Cresta (Muhlenberg) - 2-0, 0.00, 13.0 ip, 5 hits, 7 strikeouts; Anthony Cacchiola (New Jersey City) - 1-0, 0.77 ERA, 11.2 ip, 3 hits, 13 strikeouts; Travis Bogue (Millsaps) - 1-0, 1 save, 1.29 ERA, 7.0 ip, 6 hits, 5 strikeouts; Jordan Smiley (Lewis & Clark) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 2 hits, 6 strikeouts; Wes Hilliard (Webster) - 2-0, 1.29 ERA, 14.0 ip, 2 cg, 8 hits, 15 strikeouts; Jay Enoch (Juniata) – 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 4 hits, 10 strikeouts; Zachary Potter (SUNY-New Paltz) - 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 7 hits, 12 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.

2008 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week:
• March 9: Brad Broussard, Ozarks (Hitter); Joe Bartlinski, Kean (Pitcher)
• March 16: Brent Voorhees, McMurry (Hitter); Ryan Kulik, Rowan (Pitcher)
• March 23: Drew Hedman, Pomona-Pitzer (Hitter); Drew Campbell, Kean (Pitcher)
• March 30: Derek Gianakas, Kean (Hitter); Lonnie Robinson, St. Thomas [Minn.] (Pitcher)
• April 6: Derek David, McMurry (Hitter); Matt Tone, SUNY-Cortland (Pitcher)
• April 13: Steve DeBarberie, Alvernia (Hitter); Bryon Mendenhall, Randolph-Macon (Pitcher)
• April 20: Ricky Angel, Illinois Wesleyan (Hitter); Jeremy Rubens, Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Pitcher)
• April 27: J.D. Rotzoll, Concordia (Hitter); Josh Roiger, Hamline (Pitcher)
• May 4: Tim McMenamin, Gwynedd-Mercy (Hitter); Brent Kulavic, Illinois Wesleyan (Pitcher)