DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released its National Player of the Week awards for the period ending May 20. Auburn sophomore infielder Will Holland was named National Hitter of the Week, while Toledo senior right-handed pitcher Sam Shutes was named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.

Holland went 10-for-14 from the plate with six runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and six RBI in the series against the visiting Tigers. After going 1-for-4 with a double and run scored in a midweek contest at Troy, Holland exploded for a career-high four hits with three runs and two RBI in the series-opening win against LSU. A day later, the Lawrenceville, Ga., native backed up his career night by going 3-for-4 from the plate. He saved his best for last, though, by again going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a double, two home runs and four RBI in the finale.

Holland's two-home-run effort Saturday was his second of the season and pushed his season total to 10. He is one of five Tigers with double digit home runs this season, matching the 2009 and 2010 teams for the most players with 10 or more home runs in a season in program history.

Prior to the regular season finale Saturday, Holland had led off the previous four games with an extra-base hit – three doubles and one home run. He finished the regular season with a team-best .329 batting average and 51 runs scored while tying for the team lead with 15 doubles.

Shutes turned in a masterful start last Friday against Bowling Green. With the Rockets needing a win to keep their MAC Tournament hopes alive, he threw the first complete game shutout by a UT pitcher since the 2014 season. The Three Rivers, Mich., native was dominant from start to finish, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out nine. He retired the final 17 batters he faced, six by strikeout, and faced just two batters above the minimum.

Shutes has been one of the best pitchers in the MAC this season. He leads the league with 10 victories and 89.1 innings pitched, and his 3.12 ERA is fifth. Seven of his last nine starts have lasted at least seven innings, and he has five starts this season with at least six shutout innings. Shutes has been especially dominant in conference play, posting a 1.96 ERA in 64.1 innings pitched, and opposing MAC hitters are batting just .212 against him.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, ncbwa.com.

For more information on the NCBWA Division I National Players of the Week, contact NCBWA Assistant Executive Director Mike Montoro at West Virginia University at 304-293-2821.

2018 NCBWA Division I Players of the Week:
• Feb. 20: Jake Brodt, Santa Clara (Hitter); Nick Sandlin, Southern Miss (Pitcher)
• Feb. 27: Brett Kinneman, N.C. State (Hitter); Joe DeMers, Washington (Pitcher)
• March 6: Luke Heyer, Kentucky (Hitter); Payton Kinney, Omaha (Pitcher)
• March 13: Jacob Rhinesmith, Western Kentucky (Hitter); Casey Mize, Auburn (Pitcher)
• March 20: Joe Genord, USF (Hitter); Griffin Roberts, Wake Forest (Pitcher)
• March 27: Bren Spillane, Illinois (Hitter); Jake Lee, Oakland (Pitcher)
• April 3: Jon Littell, Oklahoma State (Hitter); Colton Eastman, Cal State Fullerton (Pitcher)
• April 10: Connor Pauly, Morehead State (Hitter); Scotty Sunitsch, Washington State (Pitcher)
• April 17: Ross Haffey, Miami, Ohio (Hitter); Noah Zavolas, Harvard (Pitcher)
• April 24: Josh Jung, Texas Tech and Steven Wells, Florida State (Hitter); Connor Van Hoose, Bucknell (Pitcher)
• May 1: Alex Holderbach, Eastern Kentucky (Hitter); Barrett Loseke, Arkansas (Pitcher)
• May 8: Adam Sasser, Georgia (Hitter); Haylen Green, TCU (Pitcher)
• May 15: Will Wilson, N.C. State (Hitter); Luke Heimlich, Oregon State (Pitcher)
• May 22: Will Holland, Auburn (Hitter); Sam Shutes, Toledo (Pitcher)

2018 NCBWA Division I Players of the Month:
• February: Brett Kinneman, N.C. State (Player); Brady Feigl, Ole Miss (Pitcher)
• March: Seth Beer, Clemson (Player); Casey Mize, Auburn (Pitcher)
• April: Alex Holderbach, Eastern Kentucky (Player); Connor Thomas, Georgia Tech (Pitcher)
• May: Cal Raleigh, Florida State (Player); Logan Gilbert, Stetson (Pitcher)