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May 5, 2021 For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Montoro 304-293-2821 |
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| Oklahoma State's Encarnacion-Strand, Arkansas' Kopps honored |
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| NCBWA NAMES DIVISION I NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE MONTH | ||
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DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has named Oklahoma State third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand the national player of the month and Arkansas reliever Kevin Kopps the national pitcher of the month for April, it was announced on Wednesday. A native of Pleasant Hill, Calif., Encarnacion-Strand starred for Oklahoma State during April, hitting .458 (27-for-59) with seven homers and 30 RBI in 15 games. He scored 15 runs, had seven doubles and two triples, and sported a 1.542 OPS during the month. During 2021, he has hit .371 with 13 doubles, 15 homers and 52 RBI, stealing three bases. Kopps, a native of Sugar Land, Texas, had a sparkling month of April in the bullpen for the Razorbacks, top-ranked team in the NCBWA poll. He appeared in nine games for the Hogs in April, with four saves in 22.1 innings, allowing just five walks and striking out 42. On the year, Kopps has a 6-0 record and a 0.85 ERA, striking out 75 and walking only 12 in 42.1 innings. He has six saves, has allowed only 27 hits – and a .164 opponent average – and surrendered just four runs on the year. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the NCBWA has honored a player and pitcher of the month. 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 website, ncbwa.com. 2021 NCBWA Division I Players of the Week: 2021 NCBWA Division I Players of the Month: |
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