DALLAS (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 May 14. Indiana sophomore third baseman Josh Pyne was named National Hitter of the Week, while Arkansas junior left-handed pitcher Hunter Hollan 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.
With an extra base hit and multiple RBIs in each game last week, Pyne helped Indiana a perfect 4-0 week, its first sweep of Purdue since 2016 and a series-record 51 runs scored over three games. He finished the week with a .588/1.235/.667 slash line, 10 hits, nine runs scored and 14 RBI over four starts at third base.
With three multi-hit games and three multi-run games to go along with his four multi-RBI contests, Pyne had at least one hit, one RBI and one runs scored in all four games. He also collected an extra base hit in each game as he played an errorless third base on 10 chances.
The Linton, Indiana, native drove in a career-high five RBIs and scored twice in a 3-for-4 day at the plate with a home run to help IU secure the sweep of Purdue. He scored a career-high four runs and tied a career-high four hits in the series opener with four RBIs in that contest and one home run. In the middle game of the series, Pyne plated three RBI on a pair of hits, which included a triple, and added two runs scored. He opened the week with a home run and sacrifice fly at Xavier.
The Razorback left-hander twirled a nine-inning complete game in Sunday’s decisive game three win against South Carolina to help Arkansas clinch its seventh SEC series victory of the season. The Hallsville, Texas, native threw a career-high 113 pitches and racked up a career-best 10 strikeouts as he limited the Gamecocks to just one run on five hits and one walk.
Hollan, who at one point recorded 19 consecutive outs, is the first Arkansas pitcher to throw a nine-inning complete game against an SEC opponent since Dominic Taccolini’s 10-inning complete game shutout against Kentucky in 2016.
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, www.ncbwa.com. For more information, contact NCBWA Executive Associate Director Mike Montoro (304-293-2821, mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu).