ATLANTA (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
(NCBWA) released its Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week
awards for the period ending March 7.
Menlo junior infielder Sean Scott (San Jose, Calif.) was named
National Hitter of the Week, while Rose-Hulman junior RHP Nathan Soyer
(Norwalk, Iowa) was named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA reviews
candidates from each Division III conference each week and names winners
each Tuesday throughout the season.
In three-game weekend series at home against Pacific University (Ore.),
Scott helped the Oaks to a 2-1 series win with both his arm and bat. On
Saturday, he finished the day 9-for-11 with 10 RBI. In an 18-4 Game 1 victory,
the third baseman was a perfect 6-for-6 with a pair of triples to go along
with 5 RBI. Those six hits set a school record for most hits in a game.
In Game 2, he went 3-for-5 with another five RBI to go along with a double
and home run. He also added four runs scored in game one while crossing
home plate another three times in game two. At one stretch, he was 8-for-8
between game one and two. Sunday, Scott was 3-for-5 with one RBI and a pair
of runs scored against the Boxers. Among his three hits was his third double
of the season. He also pitched the final three innings, striking out three
and allowing one run to pick up his first victory of the season, as the
Oaks defeated Pacific University 11-6.
All told against the Boxers in the three game series, he was 12-for-16,
with nine runs scored, 11 RBI, with two doubles, two triples, a home run
and a win on the mound. Going into the weekend, he had .394 batting average.
After Sunday's game, he boosted his batting average to a team high .510
(25-for-49). He also has a team high 22 RBI.
Soyer finished 2-0 for the week with a 0.63 earned run average to lead
Rose-Hulman's pitching staff as part of the team's 11-0 start. He tossed
a five-hit shutout in Rose-Hulman's 4-0 win over Sewanee and allowed one
earned run in 7.1 innings in a season opening victory over Juniata. Opponents
hit just .137 off the right-hander, who recorded eight strikeouts and allowed
seven hits in 14.1 innings of work.
Honorable mention: Aaron Svarthumle, Pacific and Matt Moore, Rose-Hulman
(hitter); Justin Wilson, Hardin-Simmons and Lou Stellato, Drew (pitcher).
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-American awards, publication and writing contests.
2004 NCBWA Division III Players of the Week:
• March 9: Sean Scott, Menlo (Hitter);
Nathan Soyer, Rose-Hulman (Pitcher)
• March 16: Jonathan Thomas, New
Jersey City (Hitter); Adam Huron, Haverford and James Halle, Louisiana College
(Pitcher)
• March 23: James Morgan, East
Texas Baptist (Hitter); Chris Lynn, Kenyon (Pitcher)
• March 30: Geoff Neese, Dickinson (Hitter);
Jeff Gogal, Montclair State (Pitcher)
• April 6: Ian Houze, DeSales (Hitter);
Scott Hyde, George Fox (Pitcher)
• April 13: Rob Blackburn, Montclair State (Hitter);
Kyle Rensing, Blackburn (Pitcher)
• April 20: J.R. Estes, Bridgewater (Hitter);
Jeremy Hinderks, Concordia College (Pitcher)
• April 27: Jeff Coté, SUNY-New Paltz (Hitter);
Tom O'Connor, Ithaca College (Pitcher)
• May 4: Mike Cohan, DeSales (Hitter); Julius Jenkins,
The College of New Jersey (Pitcher)
• May 11: Bryant Rogness, Gustavus Adolphus (Hitter);
Dale Koler, Baldwin-Wallace (Pitcher)