April 25, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Adkins
260-982-5035
From New York to Kalamazoo: Hitter, Pitcher and Rookie honors announced
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NCBWA NAMES DIVISION III
NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) – Member institutions of the University Athletic Association, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Liberty League picked up Hitter, Pitcher, and Rookie of the Week recognition for April 16-22.

Hitter of the Week: New York University junior infielder Colman Hendershot channeled his inner Mike Trout to lead the Violets to a 4-1 record. The Lubbock, Texas, native hit six home runs and drove in 15 runs to lead the Violets to four wins in five games. He batted .565 (13-for-23), recording at least two hits in each game. Hendershot hit home runs in three consecutive at-bats, finishing with seven runs batted in, in the Violets’ 12-7 UAA win over Brandeis University on Friday. He scored 10 runs, doubled twice, and registered a 1.435 slugging percentage.

Honorable Mention Hitter: Michael Wielansky, Jr., INF, Wooster - Led the second-ranked Scots to a 5-1 record last week with a slash line of .655/.688/1.172. He went 19-for-29 at the plate on the week with five doubles, two triples, two homers, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored, highlighted by a 5-for-6 showing with two doubles, a homer, five RBI and three runs scored in a 24-14 non-conference win over Muskingum on April 20th. In league play last week, he hit .611 (11-for-18) with two doubles, two triples, seven RBI and 12 runs scored in four combined wins over Oberlin and Allegheny. He was also perfect in the field with six putouts and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Pitcher of the Week: Senior Ryan Orr was virtually untouchable for the Kalamazoo College Hornets’ staff last week. The DeWitt, Mich., native fired his second career no-hitter in a 7-0 win over Albion. Orr also earned a second win of the week in two innings of relief against Calvin. All told, he did not allow a hit or run in 9 total innings while striking out 10 and walking 1. His effect on a 5-1 record for the team didn’t end there, as he hit .360 (9-25) with two RBI while playing left field when not pitching.

Honorable Mention Pitcher: Matthew DeVillier, Jr., Centenary - Tossed the first Gentlemen NCAA Division III no-hitter, allowing just a pair of walks. He ended the game in style in Centenary’s 7-0 win against Austin College April 20, striking out the side.

Rookie of the Week: Infielder/outfielder Jack Koch of Union College (N.Y.) made it back-to-back weeks as a national honoree. The St. Paul, Minn., native led the Dutchmen with a .632 batting average, going 12-for-19. He had one home run and two doubles while leading the team with 12 runs scored and 17 total bases in a 4-1 week. He also had a team-high .652 on-base percentage as the team's lead-off hitter.

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)