Jayne, Pearson 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 February 12. UNC Pembroke senior infielder Christian Jayne is the National Hitter of the Week and Angelo State righty Braxton Pearson is the National Pitcher of the Week.

Jayne (Fayetteville, N.C. / East Carolina) Jayne put up huge numbers in UNC Pembroke’s three-game sweep of UVA Wise. He posted a .706 average, going 12-for-17 at the plate while also posting a .762 on-base percentage and a 1.471 slugging percentage to help keep UNC Pembroke undefeated on the young season. Jayne recorded at least two extra-base hits and at least three RBI in each of his three starts. He had two home runs in game one, a homer and two doubles in game two and two doubles in the series finale. Jayne ended the series with 11 RBI and 10 runs scored to go along with seven extra-base hits (four doubles and three home runs). He also had five stolen bases.

Pearson (Georgetown, Texas / Georgetown HS) tossed a complete game shutout against Cameron in ASU's 12-0 win. He allowed only one base runner through seven innings while striking out 10 batters and holding the Aggies to a batting average of .043 on the day. He picked up his second victory to improve to 2-0 on the year and leads the LSC in opponent batting average at .098.

Division II Regional Players of the Week:

  • Atlantic: Bren Taylor, Millersville (Hitter); Andrew Neff, Concord (Pitcher)
  • Central: Kirk Woolf, Arkansas Monticello (Hitter); Jeremy Adorno, Southern Arkansas (Pitcher)
  • East: No Nominees
  • Midwest: No Nominees
  • South: Ben Brocato, Christian Brothers (Hitter); Dan Beebe, Palm Beach Atlantic (Pitcher)
  • South Central: Nick Wolff, Texas A&M-Kingsville (Hitter); Braxton Pearson, Angelo State (Pitcher)
  • Southeast: Christian Jayne, UNC Pembroke (Hitter); Noah Windhorst, Columbus State (Pitcher)
  • West: Jakob Christian, Point Loma (Hitter); Riley O’Sullivan, Concordia Irvine (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.