MORGANTOWN, W. Va. (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released its Dick Howser Trophy National Player of the Week awards presented by The Game Headwear for the period ending April 2. Virginia Tech junior outfielder Jack Hurley was named National Hitter of the Week, while Oklahoma State sophomore right-handed pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown was named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.
Hurley hit .550 for the week (11-for-20) while leading the Hokies to a midweek victory over VMI and a series win over No. 5 Virginia. The Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, native hit five home runs in the four games while driving in 11 runs and slugging 1.400 and tying for the team lead in runs scored with seven. Hurley gave Tech its final lead during its series finale against Virginia, homering to put the Hokies up 7-6 in the sixth inning. Hurley also played errorless baseball while manning two outfield positions during the week (10 chances).
Watts-Brown threw a season-high eight innings with 12 strikeouts while allowing just one run on three hits to defeat No. 21 Texas on Saturday. The righty's 128-pitch effort saw him strike out six consecutive batters over the first two innings, and he ended the night by retiring the last six batters he faced. It is the second pitcher of the week honor for the Hanford, California native.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, ncbwa.com. For more information, contact NCBWA Executive Associate Director Mike Montoro (304-293-2821, mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu).