NCBWA Players of the Week (April 16th)

FROM NCBWA RELEASE
MORGANTOWN, W.Va – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA)­ released its National Player of the Week awards for the period ending April 14, today. North Carolina junior third baseman Colin Moran was named National Hitter of the Week, while Wichita State junior right-handed pitcher Cale Elam was named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.

Moran registered an RBI in all five of UNC’s games and three or more RBI in four of those contests. The Rye, N.Y., native batted an even .500 (12-for-24) at the plate with a pair of doubles and two home runs to add to his team lead of nine long balls. Moran became the first player in the country with 50 runs scored and 50 RBI and currently leads the nation with 51 runs scored after crossing the plate 11 times last week, including a career-high five times in Saturday’s 9-8 win at Virginia Tech. The 16-RBI week for Moran gave him 56 for the season and moved him to within four of the national lead of 60. In addition to the 12 hits on the week, Moran drew four walks and did not strike out in 29 plate appearances. Moran currently leads the ACC in RBI in conference-only contests with 28 and ranks second with 22 runs scored behind freshman teammate Landon Lassiter’s 26.

Elam pitched his first career complete game shutout on Friday in Wichita State’s 4-0 win at Bradley. He allowed just five singles with no walks and a career-high 13 strikeouts. The Oktaha, Okla., native struck out at least one batter in eight of nine innings and struck out multiple batters in four of the nine innings. He allowed just five base runners in the game and only three of them reached scoring position. It was the most strikeouts by a Shocker pitcher since 2011 and the first complete game shutout by a Shocker pitcher since 2011. The 13 strikeouts were also a Peoria Chiefs Stadium record for a college 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. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association’s official Web site, www.ncbwa.com. For more information, contact NCBWA Executive Assistant Director Mike Montoro (304-293-2821, mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu).

2013 WINNERS:
Hitter of the Week – Feb. 19 – Danny Collins,OF/IF, Troy; Feb. 26 – Charlie White, OF, Maryland; March 5 – A.J. Reed, 1B, Kentucky; March 12 – Cody Hudson, OF, Austin Peay; March 19 – Zach Fish, OF, Oklahoma State; March 26 – C.K. Irby, UT, Samford; April 2 – Mason Katz, 1B, LSU; April 9 – Ian Graham, C, UNC Asheville; April 16 – Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina
Pitcher of the Week – Feb. 19 – Buck Farmer, RHP, Georgia Tech; Feb. 26 – Bryce Biggerstaff, Central Arkansas; March 5 – Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford; Carlos Rodon, LHP, NC State; March 12 – Frankie Vanderka, RHP, Stony Brook; March 19 – Pat Young, RHP, Villanova; March 26 – Ryan Kellogg, LHP, Arizona State; April 2 – Cole Irvin, LHP, Oregon; April 9 – Aaron Blair, RHP, Marshall; April 16 – Cale Elam, RHP, Wichita State