DALLAS (NCBWA) – Catcher Josh Rapacz of George Fox University accounted for 16 runs in three games and Nick Rossmiller of Thiel College tossed a three-hit shutout, earning the first 2013 NCAA Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week honors for games of February 25-March 3 as voted on by a panel of D-III members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Rapacz, a junior from West Richland, Wash., sizzled as the Bruins opened Northwest Conference play with a 21-3, 12-3, 9-8 sweep of Lewis & Clark. In the opener, he was 3-4 with a double, a grand slam home run, 3 runs scored and a career-high 7 RBIs. In the second game, he was 4-5 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. In the finale, he was 2-4 with a walk, 2 runs scored, and scored the winning run in the Bruins' six-run bottom-of-the-9th rally that pulled out the win. For the week, he batted .692 (9-13) with 3 doubles, a home run, 8 runs scored, 9 RBIs, a .714 on base pct. and 1.154 slugging pct. He also handled 13 chances (10 putouts, 3 assists) without an error behind the plate. Rapacz was named the Northwest Conference Position Player of the Week.

Rossmiller, a senior from Butler, Pa., was chosen as Thiel's opening-day starter and did not disappoint, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning of the Tomcats' 6-0 win over Finlandia. While the Lions eventually managed to scrape together three hits (all singles), the right-hander recorded 12 strikeouts while walking just one en route to the complete-game shutout. Rossmiller was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.

Honorable Mention Hitters: Mark Riendeau (Louisiana College) - .667 (12-18), 2 doubles, 1 triple, 10 RBI, .889 slugging pct.; Christian Muscarello (Trinity TX) - .615 (8-13), 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 6 runs, 1.077 slugging pct.; Eric Steininger (Thiel)) - .714 (5-7), 1 double, 3 RBI, 5 runs, 3 stolen bases, .857 slugging pct.; Eric Pizzico (Scranton) - .571 (8-14), 1 double, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 3 runs, .857 slugging pct.; Jacob Craft (Anderson) - .857 (6-7), 1 home run, 2 RBI, 3 runs, 1.286 slugging pct.; Rob Jennings (Frostburg State) - .571 (8-14), 3 doubles, 7 RBI, 3 runs, .786 slugging pct.

Honorable Mention Pitchers: Zak Enriquez (Sul Ross State) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 2 hits, 8 strikeouts; Tyler Erickson (Ozarks) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts; Seth Webster (Louisiana College) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts; Ben Krusen (North Central) - 0-0, 1 sv, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 ip, 1 hit, 8 strikeouts; Dylan Padgett (Manchester) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts; Brandon Holsworth (Gallaudet) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 strikeouts; Alex Teal (Worcester State) - 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 5 hits, 11 strikeouts; Ryan Lucero (Trinity TX) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 70 ip, 1 cg, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts; Chris Haddeland (Linfield) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts.

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