May 8, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Blair Cash
503-554-2926
Gwynedd-Mercy's McMenamin, Illinois Wesleyan's Kulavic honored by association
NCBWA NAMES DIVISION III
NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) – Slugging first baseman Tim McMenamin of Gwynedd-Mercy College and ace right-hander Brent Kulavic of Illinois Wesleyan University have been named the NCAA Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 28-May 4, the ninth and final awards of the season, as chosen by members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

McMenamin, a junior from Maple Shade, N.J., batted .600 (6-for-10) with three home runs, 15 total bases, eight runs scored, 12 runs batted in, and a 1.500 slugging percentage en route to being named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Tournament Co-Most Valuable Player. The Griffins won their second straight PAC title last weekend, going 3-0 in the tournament. He hit a two-run homer in the 7th to ice a 6-1 first-game win over Centenary and drove in three runs. In a 15-8 semi-final win over Alvernia, he went 2-for-4 with a home run, a sacrifice fly, scored four runs and drove in three. In a 14-1 championship win over Centenary, he was 3-for-3 with a grand-slam home run, six RBIs and three runs scored. He also picked up the win on the mound in the title game, going the first six innings while allowing three hits and a run with six strikeouts.

Kulavic, a sophomore from Springfield, Ill., struck out eight batters and allowed only two hits, none after the 3rd inning, and one unearned run in a 2-1 win at 5th-ranked Carthage on May 1. He went the distance in the seven-inning game, raising his record to a perfect 6-0. The win gave 12th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan a one-game lead over the Red Men en route to winning two-of-three games during a weekend series, which earned the Titans the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin regular season title. He was the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Pitcher of the Week.

Honorable Mention Hitters: Brian Kolb (Wheaton IL) - .667 (14-21), 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 11 RBI, 7 runs, 1.095 slugging pct.; Tim Salm (Lawrence) - .500 (7-14), 1 double, 3 home runs, 11 RBI, 6 runs, 1.214 slugging pct.; Jerrold Martijn (Wartburg) - .533 (8-15), 3 doubles, 1 home run, 6 RBI, 5 runs, .933 slugging pct.; Beau Darak (Keene State) - .571 (4-7), 3 home runs, 7 RBI, 1.857 slugging pct.; Joey Russo (SUNY-Cortland) - .750 (9-12), 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 RBI, 1.167 slugging pct.; Kevin Graham (Benedictine IL) - .526 (10-19), 3 doubles, 1 triple, 9 RBI, 9 runs, .789 slugging pct.; Matt Andersen (Occidental) - .636 (7-11), 1 double, 3 triples, 4 RBI, 6 runs, 1.273 slugging pct.; Jhonny Reyes (Lehman) - .611 (11-18), 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 7 runs, 9 steals, .888 slugging pct.

Honorable Mention Pitchers: Andy Clark (Franklin) - 1-0, 0.00, 10.0 ip, 1 cg, 2 hits, 17 strikeouts; Noel Banuelos (Occidental) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 0 hits, 5 strikeouts; Michael Bzozowski (Catholic) - 1-0, 1 save, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 ip, 0 hits, 7 strikeouts; Jordan Ball (Knox) - 0-0, 1 save, 0.79 ERA, 11.1 ip, 14 hits, 4 strikeouts; Ryan Kulik (Rowan) - 1-0, 1.08 ERA, 8.1 ip, 5 hits, 11 strikeouts; Kyle McCracken (Bethel MN) - 1-0, 1 save, 0.00 ERA, 9.1 ip, 7 hits, 5 strikeouts; Andy Langlais (Mitchell) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 hits, 7 strikeouts; Mike Fontaine (Eastern Connecticut State - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.2 ip, 3 hits, 8 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)