NCBWA NAMES DIVISION IINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the week ending on May 6. New Mexico Highlands senior outfielder Auggie Francis is the National Hitter of the Week and Gannon sophomore pitcher Deven Judy is the National Pitcher of the Week.


Francis (Meridian, Idaho/Meridian HS) went 10-for-16 (.625) with two homers, two triples, a double, 11 runs, 11 RBI, 21 total bases and four stolen bases for New Mexico Highlands to be named RMAC Player of the Week. Francis reached base 15 of the 21 times he came up to bat (.682 on-base percentage) and had multiple hits in three of the four games including a four-hit and a three-hit game. He ends the regular season with the top average in the conference at .434.


Judy (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon HS) was locked in against the Lakers, going the distance for his team-leading fourth complete game of the season. The right-hander helped the Golden Knights snap a nine-game winning streak for Mercyhurst with a 12-strikeout effort. Judy twirled his second shutout of the season, facing just four batters over the minimum, while collecting his fourth game with 11 or more punch outs.


Division II Regional Players of the Week:
Atlantic: Brenton Doyle, Shepherd (Hitter); Deven Judy, Gannon (Pitcher)
· Central: Toran Shahidi, St. Cloud State (Hitter); Aaron Mutter, Winona State (Pitcher)
· East: Gino Fordiani, Bentley (Hitter); Thomas Ippolito, Pace (Pitcher)
· Midwest: Nick Palmer, Northwood (Hitter); Jake Sprinkle, Indianapolis (Pitcher)
· South: Mitch Calandra, Eckerd (Hitter); Ryan Nolan, Saint Leo (Pitcher)
· South Central: Auggie Francis, New Mexico Highlands (Hitter); Tyler Blomster, Colorado School of Mines (Pitcher)
· Southeast: Robert Brooks, Columbus State (Hitter); Mitch Spence, USC Aiken (Pitcher)
· West: Blayze Arcano, Western Oregon (Hitter); Alex Kent, Chico 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.


2019 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:

Week ending Feb. 17: John Michael Faile, North Greenville (Hitter); Will Bausinger, Missouri Southern State (Pitcher)

· Week ending Feb. 24: Matt Chamberlain, New Haven (Hitter); Cooper Cain, Valdosta State (Pitcher)

· Week ending March 3: Zavier Lushington, Young Harris (Hitter); Jack Eisenbarger, Rockhurst (Pitcher)

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Week ending March 10: Jacob Teter, Florida Southern (Hitter); Grant Larson, Chico State (Pitcher)

· Week ending March 17: Matt Malkin, MSU Denver (Hitter); Charles Hall, Tusculum (Pitcher)

· Week ending March 24: Marquise Lanier, Chowan (Hitter); Savontae Williams, Tuskegee (Pitcher)

· Week ending March 31: Tido Robles, Azusa Pacific (Hitter); Alex Roth, Western Oregon (Pitcher)

· Week ending April 7: Trevor Kehe, Colorado School of Mines (Hitter); Max Bain, Northwood (Pitcher)

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Week ending April 14: Josh Elvir, Angelo State (Hitter); Colby Shimmel, Barton (Pitcher)

· Week ending April 21: Max Troiani, Bentley (Hitter); Hayden Jaco, Cameron (Pitcher)

· Week ending April 28: Neil Fischer, Lindenwood (Hitter); Tyler Garbee, Mercyhurst (Pitcher)

· Week ending May 5: Auggie Francis, New Mexico Highlands (Hitter); Deven Judy, Gannon (Pitcher)