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 28. Oklahoma State sophomore outfielder/RHP Carson Benge and Charleston junior first baseman Cole Mathis were named National Co-Hitters of the Week, while Oregon State junior right-handed pitcher Aiden May 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.
Benge hit at least one home run in all four of the Cowboys' blowout wins, finishing the week with five longballs and a .471 batting average. The righty from Yukon, Oklahoma, was the starting pitcher in the Pokes' series opener against BYU, scattering three hits over five innings while allowing one run and picking up the victory.
The sophomore helped his own cause with two home runs and a double in the game, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and four runs scored. The two-way player majoring in business had four RBI in the midweek game against 2023 College World Series participant Oral Roberts. He had a 2.042 OPS and 1.80 ERA to win his second career weekly award, after collecting Newcomer of the Week honors in 2023.
Mathis reached base in 14 of 17 plate appearances, including 11 hits and three walks, homered three times, scored seven runs and drove in 10 as the Cougars took two of three from the Camels.
The Cataula, Georgia, native had three hits on Friday and Sunday, but it was his offensive showing on Saturday that earned him the award. Mathis set career highs with five hits, including two home runs, and had seven RBI in a 17-2 victory.
It was his second two-homer outing in the past three weeks, and he came within two of the school record for most RBI in a game. Mathis took over the team lead with 11 home runs and 41 RBI while raising his batting average 50 points to an even .300.
May struck out a career-high 14 batters in the Beavers' 2-0 win over Oregon Friday night to open the series with the Ducks. He worked a career-long eight innings and allowed one hit, an infield single in the fifth inning. He issued just one walk and Oregon went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position against the righty.
He surpassed his previous high of nine strikeouts against Oregon State last season while at Arizona. He recorded at least one strikeout in every inning. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native is 3-0 with a 3.63 ERA this season. He has 45 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings while holding opponents to a .204 batting average.
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).