National News

 March 13, 2013

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Reid Mathews (Walters State, Tenn.), Matt Blackham (Johnson County CC, Kan.), Ryan Hutson (Pasco-Hernando CC, Fla.), Joe Gnacinski (Mercyhurst North East, Pa.), Robert Parrish III (Rainy River CC, Minn.) and Ty Paddock (Rainy River CC, Minn.) have been named OC Sports NJCAA baseball players of the week for games March 4-10.

DIVISION I PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Reid Mathews – Walters State Community College, Tenn.
Third Base – Kingsport, Tenn. – Dobyns-Bennett High School

Leading the Senators to a 5-0 record last week, Mathews teed off on opposing pitchers from Volunteer State CC (Tenn.) and Motlow State CC (Tenn.). The freshman batted for a .588 average (10-for-17), driving in 14 runs and scoring 10 of his own. Mathews went yard in four of the five games, totaling six home runs and compiling a 1.882 slugging percentage on the week. So far in 2013, Mathews’ .380 batting average and 26 RBIs leads No. 7 Walters State.



DIVISION I PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Matt Blackham – Johnson County Community College, Kan.
Right-Handed Pitcher – Olathe, Kan. – Olathe Northwest High School

Blackham anchored the Cavaliers’ defense in a 5-0 shutout victory against Allen County CC (Kan.) last week. The sophomore delivered seven innings of work without giving up a single hit. Blackham earned the win after striking out 15 batters and allowing only one walk. With his performance against Allen, Blackham extended his no-hit streak to 13-consecutive innings. On the season, Blackham leads Johnson County with 27 strikeouts and boasts a 2.30 ERA.

DIVISION II PLAYER OF THE WEEK   
Ryan Hutson – Pasco-Hernando Community College, Fla.
Shortstop – Cape Coral, Fla. – Mariner High School

Winning five of their six games last week, the Conquistadors benefitted from Hutson’s tremendous run production. Recording 17 RBIs and 10 runs scored, Hutson pounded opposing pitchers. The sophomore hit for a .478 average (11-for-23) and even registered an inside-the-ballpark grand slam. Hutson had a .957 slugging percentage that included three doubles, a triple and two home runs. In 2013, Hutson leads Pasco-Hernando with a .375 batting average, 39 hits and 29 RBIs.



DIVISION II PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Joe Gnacinski – Mercyhurst North East, Pa.
Right-Handed Pitcher – Erie, Pa. – Cathedral Preparatory School

Gnacinski put in some extra work last week to lead the Saints to a 2-1 win over CC of Rhode Island. The sophomore didn’t allow an earned run in his 10-inning victory, giving up only four hits and one walk. Gancinski racked up 10 strikeouts in his first win of 2013. On the season, Gancinski has a 0.84 ERA in a team-high 21.1 innings of work for the No. 20 Saints.

DIVISION III PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Robert Parrish III – Rainy River Community College, Minn.
First Base – Tucson, Ariz. – Santa Rita High School

The Voyageurs cruised to victory in their first two games of 2013 behind Parrish’s offensive output. In Saturday’s double-header against Fond du Lac TCC (Minn.), the freshman was 5-for-6 at the plate with seven RBIs and four runs scored. Parrish hit a double and a triple for a 1.333 slugging percentage. Early in the season, Parrish leads Rainy River in nearly every offensive category.



DIVISION III PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Ty Paddock – Rainy River Community College, Minn.
Right-Handed Pitcher – Rivers, Manitoba (Canada) – Rivers Collegiate Institute

In the Voyageurs 2013 season-opener, Paddock delivered six solid innings of work in an 8-2 victory over Fond du Lac TCC (Minn.). The sophomore gave up only two hits and one earned run, while striking out 12 hitters in the win. Despite having only one appearance so far this season, Paddock as already established himself as one of Rainy River’s top hurlers.

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Baseball Players of the Week (Feb. 18-24)
DI Player: Jacob Mena (2B) – Western Texas College
DI Pitcher: Miles Gully (LHP) – Western Texas College
DII Player: Michael Gilbert (UTL) – Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
DII Pitcher: Domenick Carlini (LHP) – Northwest Mississippi CC
DIII Player: Cody Stashak (P) – Cumberland CC, N.J.
DIII Pitcher: None

Baseball Players of the Week (Feb. 25 – March 3)
DI Player: Aaron Wright (1B) – Chattanooga State, Tenn.
DI Pitcher: A.J. Sunstrom (RHP) – Darton State, Ga.
DII Player: Casey Rodrigue (CF) – LSU-Eunice, La.
DII Pitcher: Cody Reed (LHP) – Northwest Mississippi CC
DIII Player: Tim Gallagher (CF) – Cumberland CC, N.J.
DIII Pitcher: Pedro Maldonado (RHP) – Cedar Valley College, Texas

Baseball Players of the Week (March 4-10)
DI Player: Reid Mathews (3B) – Walters State, Tenn.
DI Pitcher: Matt Blackham (RHP) – Johnson County CC, Kan.
DII Player: Ryan Hutson (SS) – Pasco-Hernando CC, Fla.
DII Pitcher: Joe Gancinski (RHP) – Mercyhurst North East, Pa.
DIII Player: Robert Parrish III (1B) – Rainy River CC, Minn.
DIII Pitcher: Ty Paddock (RHP) – Rainy River CC, Minn.