JOHNSON, ISAACS ARE NCBWA DIVISION II NATIONAL 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 March 20. Belmont Abbey senior outfielder Sean Johnson is the National Hitter of the Week and Central Oklahoma senior Lawson Isaacs is the National Pitcher of the Week.

Johnson (Kansas City, Mo./Pratt HS) put together one of his strongest weeks of his career for the Crusaders, as he hit .588 (10-of-17), slugged 1.588 and had an on-base percentage of .609. He also drove in 12 runs, scored 10 times and collected seven extra-base hits including five home runs. In the final game of the three-game series against Barton, Johnson hit three home runs and drove in a career-high nine runs in the 21-5 win. During Saturdays doubleheader, Johnson hit four home runs: a solo home run in the first game followed by a grand slam, three-run home run and two-run home run in that order. He had back-to-back four-hit games and his five home runs on the week give him nine on the season which is tied for the conference lead.

Issacs (Edmond, Okla./Edmond North HS) was unanimously selected as the Pitcher of the week after tossing a perfect game this past Sunday in Central Oklahomas 12-0 run-rule win at Fort Hays State. The senior threw all seven innings, allowing no hits, no walks, no runs and striking out five on the afternoon. It was the first no-hitter at Central Oklahoma since 2006 and is the only perfect game on record.

Division II Regional Players of the Week:
Atlantic: Alex Robenolt, Slippery Rock (Hitter); Zach Male, Kutztown (Pitcher)
· Central: Matt Kaiser, Northeastern State (Hitter); Lawson Isaacs, Central Oklahoma (Pitcher)
· East: Matt Almonte, Pace (Hitter); Brandon Scalisi, Caldwell (Pitcher)
· Midwest: Nate Logan, Grand Valley State (Hitter); Tyler Wehrle, Tiffin (Pitcher)
· South: Michael Archie, Miles (Hitter); Joey Hecht, Florida Tech (Pitcher)
· South Central: Jake Mares, St. Mary·s (Hitter); Aaron Munson, Angelo State (Pitcher)
· Southeast: Sean Johnson, Belmont Abbey (Hitter); Reece Fields, North Greenville (Pitcher)
· West: Cesar Lopez, Cal Poly Pomona (Hitter); Baxter Halligan, Point Loma (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.

2022 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:

Week ending Feb. 6: Duncan Pastore, Nova Southeastern (Hitter); Justin Fuson, Fresno Pacific (Pitcher)

· Week ending Feb. 13: Harrison Rodgers, Colorado Mesa (Hitter); Jack O'Brien, Hawaii Pacific (Pitcher)

· Week ending Feb. 20: Brock Reller, Northeastern State (Hitter); Jeremy Adorno, Southern Arkansas (Pitcher)

· Week ending Feb. 27: Zion Pettigrew, Illinois-Springfield (Hitter); Dominic Proietto, Kutztown (Pitcher)

· Week ending March 6: Lewis Beals, Hillsdale (Hitter); Dylan Miller, Point Loma (Pitcher)

· Week ending March 13: Kade Self, Oklahoma Baptist (Hitter); Kannon Handy, Colorado Mesa (Pitcher)

· Week ending March 20: Sean Johnson, Belmont Abbey (Hitter); Lawson Isaacs, Central Oklahoma (Pitcher)