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May 12, 2011 For Immediate Release Contact: Blair Cash 503-554-2926 |
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| Grinnell's Nodzenski, Illinois Wesleyan's Sweeney honored |
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| NCBWA NAMES DIVISION
III NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK |
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DALLAS (NCBWA) – A record-setting week by slugger Mike Nodzenski of Grinnell College and a no-hitter by Joe Sweeney of Illinois Wesleyan University have earned the pair the 10th and final NCAA Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week honors for May 2-8, 2011, as voted on by a panel of D-III members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Nodzenki, a junior catcher from Naperville, Ill., enjoyed a record-breaking week for Grinnell. In an 18-2 victory over Monmouth, he set a Pioneer school record with nine RBI and tied the school mark for home runs in a game with three. In the second game, he tied Grinnell's program record for home runs in a season with 12. He also hit two home runs and drove in six runs in a 13-11 win over Simpson. In six games during the week, he hit .625, going 15-of-24 at the plate, with seven homers, a double, a 1.542 slugging percentage, 13 runs scored, and 19 RBI. The two-time Midwest Conference South Division Player of the Year also had a spotless 1.000 fielding percentage during that span as Grinnell finished with an 11-1 mark in the division. Nodzenski was the Midwest Conference Performer of the Week. Sweeney, a junior right-hander from Chicago, Ill., pitched a no-hitter as Illinois Wesleyan beat North Central 8-0 in the second game of a doubleheader sweep at the Titans' Horenberger Field on May 7. Sweeney, improving his record to 6-3, struck out eight and walked only three in tossing the first no-hitter for IWU since Erik Zier pitched a seven-inning no-hitter against Wheaton on March 30, 2002. It was the fifth no-hitter in team history. He became the sixth pitcher to earn national honors this season by throw a no-hitter. Sweeney was the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Co-Pitcher of the Week. Honorable Mention Hitters: Andrew Thole (Thomas More) - .700 (7-10), 4 home runs, 8 RBI, 6 runs, 1.900 slugging pct.; Chris Sweeney (King's PA) - .579 (11-19), 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 8 RBI, 12 runs, 1.316 slugging pct.; Ethan Rieker (Susquehanna) - .667 (14-21), 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, 7 runs, 1.048 slugging pct.; Ben Kuebbing (Transylvania) - .556 (10-18), 1 double, 3 home runs, 10 RBI, 7 runs, 1.111 slugging pct.; Andrew Fatse (Western New England) - .571 (8-14), 2 doubles, 1 home run, 6 RBI, 2 runs, .929 slugging pct.; Nick Skala (Concordia-Chicago) - .607 (17-28), 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 11 RBI, .893 slugging pct.; Jeff Lynch (Johns Hopkins) - .480 (12-25), 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 12 RBI, 10 runs, .980 slugging pct. Honorable Mention Pitchers: Mike Lawlor (Western New England) - 2-0, 2 saves, 0.73 ERA, 12.1 ip, 8 hits, 17 strikeouts; Kyle Silk (Grove City) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 2 hits, 10 strikeouts; Brandon Bouley (Mount St. Joseph's) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 5 hits, 14 strikeouts; Joey Couch (York PA) - 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.0 ip, 3 hits, 10 strikeouts; Austin Blaski (Marietta) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 ip, 0 hits, 5 strikeouts; Joe Bartlinski (Kean) - 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 hits, 13 strikeouts; Joey Hribar (Mount Aloysius) - 2-0, 1 save, 2.08 ERA, 17.1, 1 cg, 20 hits, 11 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. 2011 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week: |
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