DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its weekly NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards of the season for the period ending April 28. Metro State senior third baseman Jacob Nelson is the National Hitter of the Week while St. Edward's freshman lefthander Collin Sherrod is the National Pitcher of the Week.
Jacob Nelson (Lakewood, Colo.) caught fire at Adams State, leading the Roadrunners to a sweep to clinch a spot in the RMAC tournament. He batted .600 with 18 RBIs, five home runs, two doubles and 10 runs scored in just four games. He hit a home run in each game over the weekend, including going 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs on Friday. In game one on Saturday, he was 3-for-4 with five RBIs and three runs scored and he was 1-for-2 with two walks in game two. On Sunday, he ripped a two-run double in the first. After being intentionally walked in the second inning, he hit a grand slam in the third inning. For the season, Nelson is hitting .377 with 10 home runs and a team-best 36 RBI. This is the second National Player of the Week for the Roadrunners. Alex Schrupp won the award during the 2012 season.
Collin Sherrod (Garland, Texas) was in command of the game from the first pitch against Oklahoma Panhandle State. Sherrod retired the first 18 batters he faced. He lost his perfect game bid with a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh. Sherrod then retired the next batter with a fly out and lost his no-hit bid on the next batter. He induced a ground ball double play from the next batter and wound up facing one more than the minimum through his seven innings of work. Sherrod helped wrap up a weekend sweep of OPSU. Sherrod threw seven scoreless innings, striking out six, and walking one Aggie. For the season, Sherrod owns a 4-1 record with a team-best 2.25 ERA. This is the first national pitching award for the Hilltoppers.
Division II Regional Players of the Week:
Atlantic: Michael Lott, Shepherd (Hitter); Tim Mayza, Millersville (Pitcher)
· Central: Jason Hoppe, Minnesota State (Hitter); Jaryd Marks, Bemidji State (Pitcher)
· East: Dan Asselin, American International (Hitter); Alex Miden, Molloy (Pitcher)
· Midwest: Kolin Conner, St. Joseph·s (Hitter); Jake Baldwin, Ashland (Pitcher)
· South: Michael Melendez, Nova Southeastern (Hitter); Michael Manley, Delta State (Pitcher)
· South Central: Jacob Nelson, Metro State (Hitter); Collin Sherrod, St. Edward·s (Pitcher)
· Southeast: Tyler Vanover, Flagler (Hitter); Zach Loraine, Coker (Pitcher)
· West: Colby Robinson, Montana State-Billings (Hitter); Nolan Sheridan, San Francisco State (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-America awards, publication and writing contests.
2013 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:
Feb. 10: Lee Neumann, Angelo State (Hitter); Nick Fogarty, Valdosta State (Pitcher)
· Feb. 17: Josh Wenger, Concord (Hitter); Ryan Goodbrand, UC San Diego (Pitcher)
· Feb. 24: Connor McCain, Alabama-Huntsville (Hitter); Chris Murphy, Millersville (Pitcher)
· March 3: Dylan Tice, Indiana, Pa. (Hitter); Junior Mendez, Southern New Hampshire (Pitcher)
· March 10: Gioncarlo Brugnoni, Grand Valley State (Hitter); Shane Trattles, Mary (Pitcher)
· March 17: Kyle Giusti, Abilene Christian (Hitter); Chris Murphy, Millersville (Pitcher)
· March 24: Charlie Sharrer, Cal State-East Bay (Hitter); Scott Lieser, St. Cloud State (Pitcher)
· March 31: Colton Little, Colorado Mesa (Hitter); Dylan James, West Texas A&M (Pitcher)
· April 7: Nate Olinger, Colorado Mines (Hitter); Stephen Cooke, Indiana (Pa.) (Pitcher)
· April 14: Ryan Messina, Shepard (Hitter); Dallas Ponder, Texas A&M-Kingsville (Pitcher)
· April 21: Brady Capshaw, Southern Arkansas (Hitter); Robert Frank, St. Thomas Aquanis (Pitcher)
· April 28: Jacob Nelson, Metro State (Hitter); Collin Sherrod, St. Edward's (Pitcher)
· May 5: Zach Bricknell, Young Harris (Hitter); Brian Ernst, East Stroudsburg (Pitcher)