MORGANTOWN, W. Va. (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 March 19. Oral Roberts redshirt senior outfielder Matt Hogan and Miami junior infielder CJ Kayfus were named National Co-Hitters of the Week, while Florida junior right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat 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.
Hogan pieced together an incredible week at the dish, as the South Carolina transfer recorded a .550/.520/1.150 slash line to go with three home runs, one double, one triple and 18 RBI in five games. In the weekend series in the League opener against St. Thomas, the Melville, New York, native drove in 10 runs on six hits. Hogan drove in at least three RBI in all five games and on Tuesday, he hit his first home run of the week to tie the game at 6-6 in an eventual 9-6 triumph over Tarleton State.
Kayfus led the Hurricanes to a 4-0 week, highlighted by a sweep of No. 17 Virginia Tech. Kayfus batted .750 (12-for-16) with three home runs, eight RBI and a 2.137 OPS. Kayfus also scored seven runs, walked four times and stole three bases.
Against the Hokies, Kayfus totaled 10 hits, three homers and plated eight runs. In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Wellington, Florida, native blasted one of seven Hurricanes’ home runs, the fourth-most in a single game in program history. During the nightcap, Kayfus punctuated his standout week with his first career multi-homer performance and a career-high five RBI, spearheading Miami’s 12-9 comeback win to secure the sweep.
Sproat pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout against No. 22 Alabama in the SEC opener on Thursday. The Pace, Florida native’s, performance helped power the Gators to an SEC series win. Sproat struck out a career-high 11 batters with just two walks. The lone hit he surrendered was a single in the second inning.
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).