HERZING AND PARENT NAMED NCBWA DIVISION III PITCHER, PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The national recognition keeps rolling in for Penn State Behrend senior pitcher Jack Herzing and Pitt-Bradford junior catcher Austin Parent. Both players received the highest weekly award as they were named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division III Pitcher and Player of the Week for their performances during games played April 9-15.

Senior Jack Herzing of Penn St.-Behrend had a week to remember. The St. Mary’s, Pa., native broke the school record for most career strikeouts along with throwing a no-hitter against Hilbert during the span. On the week, he struck out 31 batters and allowed just one hit on 14 innings of work. In game one against Hilbert, threw a no-no he where he struck out a 15 of the total 21 batters he faced and retired the side himself on three separate occasions. Then on Friday, Herzing put on a strikeout clinic in a 7-0 win over Alfred State. He fanned the first nine batters he faced and threw a no-hitter over five innings. In the top of the fourth, the left-handed hurler sat down his 11th batter of the game, setting up a new school record for career strikeouts (257). He ended the game with 16 K's while only allowing one hit.

Junior catcher Austin Parent of Pitt-Bradford was a juggernaut on his own for the Panthers’ offense last week. The Gilbert, Ariz., native belted five home runs and collected 14 RBI in five games that helped UPB go 4-1. Two of his home runs were grand slams, and he hit three in one day at Pitt-Greensburg. He scored at least one run in each game, totaling 13 overall. For the week, Parent batted 13-for-23 (.565), had seven extra-base hits, and a staggering 1.304 slugging percentage, while also drawing two walks and adding a stolen base.

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 Dick Howser Player of the Year Award, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.

The NCBWA releases weekly players, pitchers and rookies of the week for each NCAA division, as well as various postseason awards at all levels.