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March 10, 2021 For Immediate Release Contact: Kevin Smith 330-263-2374 |
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| Durbin, O'Rourke and Jones honored honored |
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| NCBWA NAMES DIVISION III NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK | ||
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DALLAS (NCBWA) – Member institutions from the University Athletic Association, Southern Athletic Association, and Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth earned the first NCAA Div. III weekly accolades awarded by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in 2021. This week's honorees were recognized for performances spanning March 1-7. Hitter of the Week: Washington University in St. Louis' junior shortstop Caleb Durbin batted .545 with nine RBI, six runs scored, three stolen bases, and two home runs during a three-game set with Illinois Wesleyan University. In the series finale, Durbin went 2-for-3 with four RBI, a homer, and a walk. He had four RBI in game two and three stolen bases in the season lid-lifter. WashU swept the series 5-1, 10-5, and 9-1. Honorable Mention Hitter: Amani Jones, Fr., 2B, Stevenson University – Went 6-for-7 at the dish with two walks in a doubleheader sweep against Eastern University. Jones, who sported an .889 on-base percentage and a 1.714 slugging percentage, scored five runs and knocked in three. He went 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored in the 15-0 opener. The second baseman then went 3-for-3 with a walk in the nightcap, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. Pitcher of the Week: Berry College's Patrick O'Rourke pitched a seven-inning perfect game against Millsaps College on Saturday. O'Rourke struck out seven batters in the 13-0 win. The perfect game is a first for a Berry pitcher since 1972, and the first since the institution joined Div. III. Honorable Mention Pitcher: Dylan Kuester, Jr., University of the Ozarks – Threw a gem to lead the Eagles to a 9-0 game two win against Howard Payne University on March 5. Kuester was dominant with a two-hit complete game shutout. He fanned 11 and walked only one in his outing. Kuester faced 32 batters and allowed just one hit through 8 2/3 innings. He retired the side in the second, third, fifth, sixth, and eighth innings. He struck out the side in the seventh after hitting a batter and issuing a walk. Rookie of the Week: Stevenson University's Amani Jones went 6-for-7 at the dish with two walks in a doubleheader sweep against Eastern University. Jones, who sported an .889 on-base percentage and a 1.714 slugging percentage, scored five runs and knocked in three. He went 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored in the 15-0 opener. The second baseman then went 3-for-3 with a walk in the nightcap, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. 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. 2021 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week: 2021 NCBWA Division III Players of the Month: |
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