March 11, 2021
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Adkins
319-290-6601
Near picture-perfect pitching headlines Week Five accolades
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NCBWA NAMES NAIA NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) – The view from the mound was especially pleasing among nominations for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Hitter, Pitcher, and Player of the Week honors for March 1-7.

Hitter of the Week: Concordia University of Nebraska's freshman infielder Jayden Adams had a strong dish delivery for the Bulldogs in a series against Grand View College. His top game numbers occurred in the finale against the Vikings, as he went four-for-four with two home runs and five RBI. His two bombs were part of a school-record-tying seven CU belted that tied a single-game record.

Pitcher of the Week: Junior southpaw Eli Jackson helped left the Toppers to victories over Rust College and Williams Baptist University. His keynote effort occurred against the latter, as he struck out 16 Eagles and was one out from a no-hitter during a complete-game win that saw him set a single-game seven-inning school record for opposition Ks. He came back later and shut down Rust late out of the bullpen while BMC rallied for the victory.

Rookie of the Week: Doane University's right-handed relief standout Thaniel Thumper enabled the Tigers to split a four-game series with traditional Heart of America Conference power William Penn University. He struck out four in three and a third innings to continue to be perfect in save situations (four-for-four) with two in the Statesmen's victories.

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 Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.

2021 NAIA Players of the Week:
Week ending Feb. 7: Daniel Myers, Benedictine (Hitter); Chris Koeiman, Tennessee Wesleyan (Pitcher); Trevor Ball, Presentation (Rookie)
Week ending Feb. 14: Gary Mattis, Tennessee Wesleyan (Hitter); Benjamin Harris, Brewton-Parker (Pitcher/Rookie)
Week ending Feb. 28: Pedro Nazario, Cumberlands (Hitter); Robert Gonzalez, Tennessee Wesleyan (Pitcher); Carson Ford, Texas Wesleyan (Rookie)
Week ending March 7: Jayden Adams, Concordia, Neb. (Hitter); Eli Jackson, Blue Mountain (Pitcher); Thaniel Thumper, Doane (Rookie)
Week ending March 14: Justin Brooks, Middle Georgia State (Hitter); Dan Monear, Rochester (Hitter); Joe Osborn, Doane (Rookie)
Week ending March 21: Zachary Presnall, Mobile (Hitter); Antonio Frias, Faulkner (Pitcher); Stephen Still, Loyola (Rookie)
Week ending March 28: Shane Stewart, Central Baptist (Hitter); Chris Wall, Columbia College (Pitcher); Evan Juniper, Kentucky Christian (Rookie)
Week ending April 4: Justice Lucas, Faulkner (Hitter); Garrett Martin, Middle Georgia State (Pitcher); Tucker Musgrove, Mobile (Rookie)
Week ending April 11: Aaron Saal, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Hitter); Travis Keys, Aquinas College (Pitcher); Hayden Sullivan, Ava Maria (Rookie)
Week ending April 18: Josh Sears, Freed-Hardeman (Hitter); Jared Davis, Texas A&M-Texarkana (Pitcher); Blaize Minick, South Carolina-Beaufort (Rookie)
Week ending April 25: Adrian Reed, Madonna (Hitter); Benjamin Harris, Brewton-Parker (Pitcher/Rookie)