DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its initial weekly NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the period ending Feb. 2. St. Leo junior infielder Nick Perez is the National Hitter of the Week while Quachita Baptist senior righty Davis Ward is the National Pitcher of the Week.

Nick Perez (Tampa, Fla.) Saint Leo junior utility player Nick Perez led the No. 17/No. 28 Lions to a three-game sweep on the road at North Georgia. Perez batted .706 (12-for-17) with four hits in each game. He had five RBIs and five runs. Perez slugged .941 with two doubles and one triple. He drove in two game-winning runs, including the winning RBI in the top of the 11th in game three for a 5-4 victory.

Davis Ward (Little Rock, Ark.) Ward, the 2013 GAC Pitcher of the Year out-dueled the St. Edward's Hilltoppers' Brannon Easterling, the 2013 College Baseball Lineup Division II Josh Willingham Most Valuable Player, in a 1-0 Tiger victory. He recorded his GAC-leading 16th career complete game and fifth all-time shutout. He held the second-ranked St. Edward's squad to three hits and he registered five strikeouts.

Division II Regional Players of the Week:
• Central: Jackson McCurdy, Southern Arkansas (Hitter); Davis Ward, Ouachita Baptist (Pitcher)
• South: Nick Perez, St. Leo (Hitter); Jordan DeLorenzo, West Florida (Pitcher)
• South Central: Taylor Taska, Texas A&M-Kingsville (Hitter); Jake Feckley, Angelo State (Pitcher)
• Southeast: Will Fulmer, Montevallo (Hitter); Garrett Hickman, UNC Pembroke (Pitcher)
• West: Nathan Antoun, Cal Baptist (Hitter); Sean Becker, Cal State East Bay (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.

2014 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:
• Feb. 2: Nick Perez, St. Leo (Hitter); David Ward, Ouchita Baptist (Pitcher)
• Feb. 9: Jordan Edgerton, UNC Pembroke (Hitter); Daniel Barfield, Francis Marion (Pitcher)
• Feb. 16: Hunter Boose, GRU Augusta (Hitter); Jordan DeLorenzo, West Florida (Pitcher)
• Feb. 23: Andrew Brodbeck, Flagler (Hitter); Matt McClain, St. Mary's (Pitcher)
• March 2: Nick Kranick, Flagler (Hitter); Chris Murphy, Millersville (Pitcher)
• March 9: Josh Coker, Lincoln Memorial (Hitter); Brannon Easterling, St. Edward's (Pitcher)
• March 16: Seth Tressler, Mansfield (Hitter); Joe Axelson, Southwest Minnesota State (Pitcher)
• March 23: Colby Painter, Lander (Hitter); Dan Altavilla, Mercyhurst (Pitcher)
• March 30: Giancarlo Saia, Lander (Hitter); Matt Kastelic, Notre Dame (Ohio) (Pitcher)
• April 6: Will Kengor, Slippery Rock (Hitter); Jonathan Russell, Queens (Pitcher)
• April 13: Giancarlo Brugnoni, Grand Canyon (Hitter); Will Landsheft, Drury (Pitcher)
• April 20: Tony Viger, Augustana (Hitter); Ryan O'Connor, Bentley (Pitcher)
• April 27: Jordan Liester, Colorado Mesa (Hitter); Josh Eagle, Cal State Monterey Bay (Pitcher)
• May 4: Payton Reed, Drury (Hitter); Dan Altavilla, Mercyhurst (Pitcher)