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 14.
New Jersey City University's Jonathan Thomas was named National
Hitter of the Week, while Haverford (Pa.) College's Adam Huron and
Louisiana College's James Halle were named co-National Pitchers of
the Week. The NCBWA reviews candidates from each Division III conference
each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.
Thomas batted .739 (17-for-23) in New Jersey City's seven-game trip to
Fort Myers, Fla. The senior leadoff hitter reached safely in 24 of 30 plate
appearances for an .800 on-base percentage. Thomas compiled 12 runs, five
RBI, three doubles, two triples, seven walks and six stolen bases. Among
his highlights, Thomas went 5-for-5 with two runs and a triple against Thiel
College. In a wild 14-12 win against NCAA Division II's Minnesota Morris,
he went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, two runs, a double and a triple. In a 5-4
win over Carroll College, he was a perfect 3-for-3 with three steals, two
doubles, and scored twice, including the game-winning run in NJCUs final
at-bat. He added a 3-for-3, two-run effort in a 10-1 rout of Beloit College.
Thomas had a 1.000 fielding percentage in the outfield and at catcher.
Huron threw a 66-pitch, seven-inning perfect game in Haverford's 6-0
win against Hiram College. Huron's perfect game was the first in Haverford
history. Four days later, the senior pitched 6.2 innings to pick up the
victory in a 4-2 win against Muskingum College. The win was the 17th of
Huron's career, tying a school record.
Halle tossed a seven-inning no-hitter in a 10-0 win against University
of the Ozarks. The sophomore allowed one runner to reach base (a walk) who
was subsequently wiped out on a steal attempt. Halle struck out 10 of the
21 batters in the complete-game effort.
Honorable Mention: Mike Turchan, Baldwin-Wallace, and Thomas Calistri,
Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (hitter); Scott Hyde, George Fox, and Eric Autry,
Methodist (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)