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 29.
Geoff Neese of Dickinson College (Pa.) was named National Hitter
of the Week, while Jeff Gogal of Montclair State University (N.J.)
was named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA reviews candidates from
Division III conferences each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout
the season.
Neese hit .714 (10-for-14) in four games with four doubles, seven RBI
and five runs scored. He went 4-for-4 with four RBI and two doubles and
two runs scored in a win against Muhlenberg (Pa.). He currently has a 13-game
hitting streak. Defensively, Neese recorded a team-best 35 putouts and had
no errors in 37 chances. He also was selected Hitter of the Week by the
Centennial Conference.
Gogal tossed a nine-inning, five-hit shutout victory over Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute (N.Y.). He struck out 11, walked one and did not allow
a runner past second base. The victory was the 25th of Gogal's career, moving
him into fifth place on the school's all-time list. The shutout was the
fourth of his career. He also was selected Pitcher of the Week by the New
Jersey Athletic Conference.
Honorable Mention: Brian Ricken, Buena Vista (Iowa) and Mike Welch,
York (Pa.) (hitter); Matt Miller, Cortland (N.Y.), Todd Welsh, Bethany (W.
Va.) (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)