April 11, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Adkins
260-982-5035
UMass-Boston, Muhlenberg, Wheaton (Ill.) gain top billing
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NCBWA NAMES DIVISION III
NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) – Member institutions of the Little East Conference, Centennial Conference and Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin picked up Hitter, Pitcher, and Rookie of the Week recognition for April 2-8.

Hitter of the Week: UMass-Boston senior infielder Chris Fowler batted .750 (12-16) and posted a 1.688 slugging percentage while racking up four doubles, one triple, three home runs, six RBI and seven runs scored in a 4-0 week for the ninth-ranked Beacons. The Barnstable, Mass., native started the week by going 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in an 11-9 win over Worcester State before going 5-for-5 with three solo homers in a 16-6 win over the Lancers two days later. He capped the week by going 5-for-9 with two doubles, one triple, three RBI and three runs scored in a conference sweep of Western Connecticut.

Honorable Mention Hitter: Brennan Cotter, Sr., 1B, Catholic - Recorded ten hits in 12 at-bats for a .833 batting average to help Catholic to a 3-1 week. Cotter added 10 RBIs and five runs over four games including five RBIs and three runs on two home runs and a double in the Cardinals series-opening win over the Blue Jays. The Oakland, N.J. native hit 3-of-3 in game two of the series while batting 2-of-3 in game three.

Pitcher of the Week: Sophomore Matt D’Ambrosia of Muhlenberg had a game for the Mules’ record book April 5. The Hightstown, N.J., native pitched a three-hit shutout, allowing just one free pass and fanning a career-best 15 in a 1-0 win against Dickinson. His 15 punch-outs were the most by a Muhlenberg pitcher in 31 years.

Honorable Mention Pitcher: Max Bair, Sr., Penn College - Tossed five no-hit innings before surrendering two hits and one walk in a complete-game shutout victory. He also struck out eight batters against Wells College to improve to 2-1 on the year.

Rookie of the Week: Infielder Joel Pierce batted .750 (6-for-8) with one run, two doubles, one triple, five RBIs and a 1.250 slugging percentage for the Wheaton College of Illinois Thunder last week. The Centennial, Colo., native was 2-for-2 with one run, one double, two RBIs and two walks in a 12-1 win over Illinois Wesleyan on April 5. Pierce was then 2-for-3 with one triple, one RBI and one walk in a 3-2 win over the Titans in game one of a double header on April 7. He finished the weekend series going 2-for-3 with one double and two RBIs in game two against Illinois Wesleyan.

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)