March 28, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Adkins
260-982-5035
WIAC, NACC, and NAC receive top awards
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NCBWA NAMES DIVISION III
NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Benedictine University of Illinois and New England College picked up Hitter, Pitcher, and Rookie of the Week recognition for March 19-25.

Hitter of the Week: Senior outfielder Dakota Bryden lifted the Warhawks to a strong start to the 2018 season. The Rockford, Ill., native tallied four multi-hit games and hit for the cycle in one contest during the week. On March 25 against Grinnell College (Iowa), he led off the game with a home run, dropped down a bunt single in the fourth, hit a triple in the fifth and posted a double in the sixth to complete his cycle and finish 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Bryden collected four hits two days earlier against Lawrence University (Wis.) and reached base five times while tallying three runs scored and one run batted in. He also registered two hits each in wins over Hope College (Mich.) and No. 11-ranked Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.). For the week, he hit .650 (13-for-20) with two doubles, two triples, one home run, two walks, one stolen base, 12 runs scored and five runs batted in.

Honorable Mention Hitter: Tage Johnson, Sr., INF, Houghton - Reached base safely in 14 of his 17 plate appearances (.824 on base percentage) on the week, going 7-for-10 with two doubles, a triple and a home run as the Highlanders won three of their four games. Johnson slugged 1.300 and added three walks, four hit-by-pitch, nine runs and eight RBI.

Pitcher of the Week: Benedictine University of Illinois sophomore starter Ryan Miller tied D3Baseball.com preseason top 10 ranked St. Thomas University of Minnesota in knots March 24. The Eldridge, Iowa, native retired 27-of-28 batters with a career-high 12 strikeouts in a complete game 1-0 one-hit shutout over the Tommies. He outdueled the MIAC Pitcher of the Year from last year in the process, setting down the first 14 batters of the game before allowing an infield hit and then went through the final 13. Only five outs were flyouts, including just four that reached the outfield.

Honorable Mention Pitcher: Trey Rampy, Sr., Berry - Had a career performance in a victory over Hendrix. Rampy tossed a complete game three-hitter. He allowed no runs and struck out 16 hitters in the 1-0 win.

Rookie of the Week: New England College's Shayne Audet turned in a sparkling effort in a 6-0 win over Lasell College during game one of a March 24 doubleheader. The Springfield, Mass., native continued his impressive season allowing just one hit and recording 13 strikeouts in the seven-inning complete game.

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 Dick Howser Player of the Year Award, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.

2018 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week:
Week ending Feb. 25: Josh Belarde, Iowa Wesleyan (Hitter); Jimi Keating, Spalding (Pitcher); Tristen Luck, Methodist (Rookie)
Week ending March 4: Ben Sexton, Emory and Henry (Hitter); Patrick Maybach, Salve Regina (Pitcher); James Green, St. Mary's (Minn.) (Rookie)
Week ending March 11: Carson Cox, Concordia (Hitter); Greg Schneider, Frostburg State (Pitcher); Justin Provost, Rowan (Minn.) (Rookie)
Week ending March 18: Will Welsh, Lancaster Bible (Hitter); Colin Coffey, Luther (Pitcher); Isaiah Ausby, Cazenovia College (Rookie)
Week ending March 25 Dakota Bryden, Wisconsin-Whitewater (Hitter); Ryan Miller, Benedictine (Pitcher); Shayne Audet, New England College (Rookie)
Week ending April 1: Tommy Epsaro, DeSales (Hitter); Charlie Ruegger, Stevens Tech (Pitcher); Jack Layrisson, LaGrange (Rookie)
Week ending April 8: Chris Fowler, UMass-Boston (Hitter); Matt D'Ambrosia, Muhlenberg (Pitcher); Joel Pierce, Wheaton, Ill. (Rookie)
Week ending April 15: Austin Parent, Pitt-Bradford (Hitter); Jack Herzing, Penn State-Behrend (Pitcher); Jack Koch, Union College (Rookie)
Week ending April 22: Coleman Hendershot, NYU (Hitter); Ryan Orr, Kalamazoo College (Pitcher); Jack Koch, Union College (Rookie)
Week ending April 29: John Arancio, Southern Vermont College (Hitter); Cam Graham, Husson University (Pitcher); Austin Fox, Ripon College (Rookie)
Week ending May 6: Cameron Upton, Gallaudet (Hitter); Tyler Peck, Chapman (Pitcher); Kellen Mitchell, Dubuque (Rookie)