NCBWA NAMES DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) Catcher Josh Rapacz of George Fox University accounted for 16 runs in three games and Nick Rossmiller of Thiel College tossed a three-hit shutout, earning the first 2013 NCAA Division III National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week honors for games of February 25-March 3 as voted on by a panel of D-III members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.


Rapacz, a junior from West Richland, Wash., sizzled as the Bruins opened Northwest Conference play with a 21-3, 12-3, 9-8 sweep of Lewis & Clark. In the opener, he was 3-4 with a double, a grand slam home run, 3 runs scored and a career-high 7 RBIs. In the second game, he was 4-5 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. In the finale, he was 2-4 with a walk, 2 runs scored, and scored the winning run in the Bruins' six-run bottom-of-the-9th rally that pulled out the win. For the week, he batted .692 (9-13) with 3 doubles, a home run, 8 runs scored, 9 RBIs, a .714 on base pct. and 1.154 slugging pct. He also handled 13 chances (10 putouts, 3 assists) without an error behind the plate. Rapacz was named the Northwest Conference Position Player of the Week.


Rossmiller, a senior from Butler, Pa., was chosen as Thiel's opening-day starter and did not disappoint, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning of the Tomcats' 6-0 win over Finlandia. While the Lions eventually managed to scrape together three hits (all singles), the right-hander recorded 12 strikeouts while walking just one en route to the complete-game shutout. Rossmiller was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.


Honorable Mention Hitters: Mark Riendeau (Louisiana College) - .667 (12-18), 2 doubles, 1 triple, 10 RBI, .889 slugging pct.; Christian Muscarello (Trinity TX) - .615 (8-13), 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 6 runs, 1.077 slugging pct.; Eric Steininger (Thiel)) - .714 (5-7), 1 double, 3 RBI, 5 runs, 3 stolen bases, .857 slugging pct.; Eric Pizzico (Scranton) - .571 (8-14), 1 double, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 3 runs, .857 slugging pct.; Jacob Craft (Anderson) - .857 (6-7), 1 home run, 2 RBI, 3 runs, 1.286 slugging pct.; Rob Jennings (Frostburg State) - .571 (8-14), 3 doubles, 7 RBI, 3 runs, .786 slugging pct.


Honorable Mention Pitchers: Zak Enriquez (Sul Ross State) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 2 hits, 8 strikeouts; Tyler Erickson (Ozarks) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts; Seth Webster (Louisiana College) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts; Ben Krusen (North Central) - 0-0, 1 sv, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 ip, 1 hit, 8 strikeouts; Dylan Padgett (Manchester) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 1 cg, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts; Brandon Holsworth (Gallaudet) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 3 strikeouts; Alex Teal (Worcester State) - 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 cg, 5 hits, 11 strikeouts; Ryan Lucero (Trinity TX) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 70 ip, 1 cg, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts; Chris Haddeland (Linfield) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts.


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.