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 April 27. Washington senior outfielder AJ Guerrero was named National Hitter of the Week, while Belmont sophomore right-handed pitcher Zane 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.
Guerrero was unstoppable last week, slugging four home runs, leading Washington to a 3-1 week and a fifth Big Ten series win. The Huskies put up 48 runs over the four-game stretch, with 13 batted in by Guerrero.
During the week, the Husky left fielder batted .706 (12-17) with one double, four home runs, 13 RBI and 25 total bases. Of those home runs, two were grand slams. He tallied one big fly in each game, bringing his season total to eight and his career total to 41, tying him for third in the Husky record book.
His numbers across the board were impressive, including a 1.471 slugging and a .714 on base percentage. He also added a stolen base, two walks and a hit by pitch, and didn't strike out in any of his 17 at bats.
Brown recorded the 12th no-hitter in Belmont history. It was the first no-hitter since the combined no-no by James Buckelew and Greg Brody on April 5, 2014, against UT Martin. Brown's performance was the first no-hitter by a single pitcher since Lance Sewell's gem against Martin Methodist on April 17, 1997.
Brown set a new career high with nine strikeouts and picked up his second win of the season. The last time a pitcher in the MVC threw a no-hitter was Indiana State's Jason Van Skike on March 5, 2011.
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).