CSM's Fuller Named National Collegiate Baseball Writer’s Association Pitcher of the Week

NCBWA Announces Division II National Players of the Week

DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writer’s Association released its NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the period ending March 20th. Benedict senior thirdbaseman Brandon Gipson is the National Hitter of the Week while Colo.-Mines’ junior right-hander Mike Fuller is the National Pitcher of the Week.

Brandon Gipson (Detroit, Mich.) went 12-for-17, including two triples and two doubles, with a .706 batting average and a 1.059 slugging percentage in six games. The 6-5 senior had 13 RBIs and scored 10 runs with six stolen bases and a .773 on-base percentage. Defensively, Gipson had a .933 fielding percentage. He helped Benedict to a 4-2 record with a 9-4 win over Saint Augustine's and a three-game series sweep over Clark Atlanta (12-2, 31-1,17-4), where he was 8-for-10 from the plate.

Mike Fuller (Parker, Colo.) tossed a two-hit complete game shutout in CSM's 2-0 victory over Mesa State in the series finale between the Mavericks and Orediggers on Mar. 20 in Golden, Colo.  Fuller needed just 88 pitches (65 strikes) while going the distance and improving his season record to 2-3. Fuller leads the CSM pitching staff in innings pitched (29.0) and is second on the squad in strikeouts (21).  Fuller leads all CSM starters in ERA (6.25) and opponent batting average (.270) in his five appearances (all starts) this season.

Division II Regional Players of the Week:

- Atlantic: Mike Leviseur, Seton Hill (Hitter); Jeremy Gigliotti, East Stroudsburg (Pitcher)
- Central: Travis Parsons, Wayne State (Neb.) (Hitter); Mike Fuller, Colo.-Mines (Pitcher)
- East: Michael White, Stonehill (Hitter); Kevin Pettine, Southern Conn. State (Pitcher)
- Midwest: Ben Baker, Rockhurst (Hitter); Matt Rustulka, Wayne State (Mich.) (Pitcher)
- South: Brandon Gipson, Benedict (Hitter); Brodie Brumley, Harding (Pitcher)
- South Central: Gus Durst, Lincoln (Mo.) (Hitter); Greg Herbst, St. Mary’s (Pitcher)
- Southeast: John Roberts, Armstrong Atlantic (Hitter); Cameron Ward, Limestone College (Pitcher)
- West: Danny Nelson, Cal. St.-Monterrey Bay (Hitter); Jason Wilson, Western Oregon (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. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.

2011 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:

- Feb. 20: Tyler Migl, St. Mary’s, Texas (Hitter); Trey Mitchell, North Alabama (Pitcher)
- Feb. 27: Wayne Hawkins, Arkansas-Monticello (Hitter); Dave Middendorf, Northern Kentucky (Pitcher)
- March 6: Drew Dwelly, Barry (Hitter); Gabriel Asakura, Cal. St.-Los Angeles (Pitcher)
- March 13: Kaleb Cunningham, Indianapolis (Hitter); Manny Rodriguez, Barry (Pitcher)
- March 20: Brandon Gipson, Benedict (Hitter); Mike Fuller, Colo.-Mines (Pitcher)