DALLAS (NCBWA) – Member institutions of the Middle
Atlantic Conference Commonwealth, Empire 8, and USA South
conference picked up Hitter, Pitcher, and Rookie of the Week
recognition for March 26-April 1.
Hitter of the Week: Tommy Epsaro, a junior
third baseman from DeSales University, had a breakout week to
lead the Bulldogs to a 4-0 record. Epsaro batted .583 (7-for-12)
with four home runs, a double, two walks, 13 RBIs and six runs
scored. The junior also recorded a 1.667 slugging percentage, a
.643 on-base percentage and two stolen bases. He opened the week
going 2-for-3 with two home runs, six RBIs and two runs scored
in an 8-1 win over Montclair State. The Bethlehem, Pa., native
finished the week going 5-for-9 with two home runs, a double,
two walks, seven RBIs and four runs scored in a three-game
series sweep of Eastern.
Honorable Mention Hitter: Colton Riley, Fr.,
1B, Penn College - Batted .800 in a pair of wins for the
Wildcats last week. In an 11-9 win over Cabrini, the freshman
first baseman went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, and
three RBIs. Riley added a two-run home run in the second game
against Cabrini to finish the week with five RBIs and six runs
scored. Over the two games, Riley posted a .875 on-base
percentage and a 2.400 slugging percentage.
Pitcher of the Week: Stevens Institute of
Technology junior Charlie Ruegger turned in a masterful
performance in the Ducks' 3-0 win over Canton March 30. The
right-hander and Morris Plains, N.J., native allowed just one
hit and struck out 15 in posting his first career shutout.
Ruegger allowed just one ball to leave the infield, didn't walk
a batter and fell behind just nine hitters on the evening. He
also turned in one of the top defensive performances of the
evening with a barehanded grab of Travis Schindler's
sixth-inning dribbler and a perfect throw to nab the Canton
leadoff hitter at first.
Honorable Mention Pitcher: Austin Heenan,
Sr., Salisbury - Recorded 17 strikeouts and didn't allow any
earned runs in a pair of wins last week. Heenan posted
7.0-inning outings in wins over Franklin & Marshall and No. 11
Frostburg State. He allowed only seven hits in his 14 innings on
the mound.
Rookie of the Week: LaGrange College's Jack
Layrisson, a native of Ponte Verde, Fla., went a combined
9-for-16 (.563) with a .579 on-base percentage and a .750
slugging percentage to go along with six runs scored, 12 RBI,
one double, one triple, two walks and one stolen base as the
Panthers notched a 3-1 record last week. In a 17-3 win over
Oglethorpe, the infielder was 3-for-4 with one run scored, five
RBI and one triple. In taking two games in a three-game series
with USA South foe Piedmont, Layrisson was a combined 6-for-12
with five runs scored, seven RBI, one double, two walks and one
stolen base.
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)
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