DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its first NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the week ending Feb. 4. Lubbock Christian senior third baseman Ryan Ball, is the National Hitter of the Week and Missouri Southern junior righty Cole Gayman is the National Pitcher of the Week.
Ball (Santa Margarita, Calif. / Trabuco HS) hit for the cycle and batted .538 with two home runs and 10 RBIs – in just three games – to lead Lubbock Christian to a season-opening series sweep on the road against Cameron. Ball also walked twice and scored five runs to help the Chapparals to their first 4-0 start since 2017. His cycle came in the second game of the series. Ball hit a two-out triple in his last at-bat to secure the feat. He went 4-for-5 with seven RBIs in the 19-12 win.
Gayman (Webb City, Mo. / Webb City HS) was credited with the Lions win over No. 17-ranked Southern Arkansas. In 6.0 scoreless inning, Gayman gave up just one hit and struck out seven batters of the 23 he faced.
Division II Regional Players of the Week:
- Atlantic: Matthew Williams, Millersville (Hitter); Alex Mykut, Millersville (Pitcher)
- Central: Carson Wright, Northwestern Oklahoma State (Hitter); Cole Gayman, Missouri Southern (Pitcher)
- East: None
- Midwest: None
- South: Stephen Klein, Tampa (Hitter); Luke Lashutka, Saint Leo (Pitcher)
- South Central: Ryan Ball, Lubbock Christian (Hitter); Ben Smedshammer, St. Edward’s (Pitcher)
- Southeast: Derek Wylie, Columbus State (Hitter); Jake Inman, UNC Pembroke (Pitcher)
- West: Wyatt Duncan, Biola (Hitter); Benny Olguin, Cal State San Bernardino (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.
2024 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:
• Feb. 7: Ryan Ball, Lubbock Christian (Hitter, South Central); Cole Gayman, Missouri Southern (Pitcher, Central)