DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its weekly NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the week ending March 9. Lincoln Memorial senior outfielder Josh Coker is the National Hitter of the Week while St. Edward's senior righty Brannon Easterling is the National Pitcher of the Week.

Coker (Murphy, N.C.) hit .467 with a robust 1.533 slugging percentage last week, leading LMU to a 4-1 record, including a weekend SAC series victory over Catawba. Coker had hits in every game of the Railsplitters' series with Kentucky St. and Catawba, including a total of five home runs spread out over four different games. The senior's best game of the week came on Friday in a 13-12 LMU win over Catawba, where he finished with two homers, two runs scored, five RBI and a walk. In addition, Coker notched three saves on the mound, allowing only two earned runs in a total of 4.2 innings. His nine homers currently lead the SAC, and his 27 RBI rank second in the conference.

Easterling (College Station, Texas) finished Sunday' s start in grand fashion by throwing his first career no hitter. The only base runner allowed was a two-out hit-by-pitch in the 5th inning. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter in the outing. He continued his complete game streak by throwing his 6th of the year and completed the game by throwing only 64 pitches. There was only one three ball count on the day as well. Easterling is now 3-3 on the year with a .82 ERA.

Division II Regional Players of the Week:
• Atlantic: Michael Douglas, Shippensburg (Hitter); Paul Hvozdovic, Shepherd (Pitcher)
• Central: Danny Droll, Nebraska-Kearney (Hitter); Yumezo Densaki, Southern Arkansas (Pitcher)
• East: Scott De Jong, Felician College (Hitter); Tyler Badamo, Dowling (Pitcher)
• Midwest: Giancarlo Brugnoni, Grand Valley State (Hitter); Alex Smith, Ashland (Pitcher)
• South: Dex Herrington, Delta State (Hitter); Cody Skinner, West Georgia (Pitcher)
• South Central: Drew Wells, Adams State (Hitter); Brannon Easterling, St. Edward' s (Pitcher)
• Southeast: Josh Coker, Lincoln Memorial (Hitter); Caleb Edwards, Mars Hill (Pitcher)
• West: Kevin Kline, Dixie State (Hitter); Ryan Santhon, Cal. St.-Los Angeles (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)