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Mid-April always is a pivotal time of the collegiate baseball season, as contenders begin to be separated from pretenders, with NCAA Tournament resumés starting to take shape. Following a weekend that saw plenty of upsets and other notable results, there was a deep pool of candidates for the CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll, covering the 10th week of the 2016 season (April 11–17). Ultimately, the 15 players listed below made the final cut for the Primetime Honor Roll, led by Hofstra senior third baseman David Leiderman (Merrick, N.Y.) and Arizona State freshman lefthander Zach Dixon (Las Vegas, Nev.), the respective CB360 National Primetime Player and Pitcher of the Week.

David Leiderman
(Hofstra • 3B • Sr./Jr.)

front-page photo of David Leiderman courtesy of Hofstra

Zach Dixon
(Arizona State • LHP • Fr.)

Scroll down for headshots, action photos and player info. on each of the 15 week–10 Primetime Performers, covering games played during the week of April 11–17.

In addition to Dixon and Leiderman, the 13 other members of the CB360 week-10 Primetime Performers include: Texas A&M jr. RF Nick Banks (Tomball, TX) … Arizona sr. RHP Nathan Bannister (Peoria, AZ) … Auburn sr. RHP Justin Camp (Decatur, AL) … UConn sr. DH/RF Joe DeRoche–Duffin (Santa Ana, CA) … Wake Forest jr. RHP Parker Dunshee (Zionsville, IN) … St. Mary’s so. LF Edward Haus (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) … Louisiana-Lafayette jr. 3B Joe Robbins (Pineville, LA) … Appalachian State fr. DH/LFP Colin Schmid (New Bern, NC) … Vanderbilt jr. RHP Jordan Sheffield (Tullahoma, TN) … Washington State sr. 2B Trek Stemp (Kennewick, WA) … McNeese State sr. RHP Ethan Stremmmel (Lake Jackson, TX) … Virginia jr. catcher Matt Thais (Jackson, NJ) … and Georgia so. 3B Mitchell Webb (Dallas, GA).

> LEIDERMAN (pictured at left) collected multiple hits in all four games during the week – including a sweep of CB360 #29 College of Charleston (4-3, 3-1, 8-7) – while batting at a .643 clip (9-for-14) as part of his strong all-around offensive contributions. His big week included factoring into 16 of the Pride’s runs, with a dozen RBI and six runs scored (two of which came via his own home runs). His five extra-base hits also included a triple and a pair of doubles, with his output also featuring three sacrifice bunts, two stolen bases and a 10th time on-base courtesy of a hit-by-pitch.

Prior to the series win for Colonial Athletic Association last-place Hofstra (vs. the league’s top team CofC), Leiderman also helped blow out Manhattan in a 14-4 midweek game. A few days later, he homered in the 11th to end the series opener vs. the Cougars. The Pride’s 5-hole hitter then reached base three times (2-2; HBP), while also executing a sac. bunt, in gm-2 vs. Charleston. He capped his 6-for-9 series by going 2-for-3 in the finale, highlighted by a two-run triple and two-run double.

Over the course of the four-game week, Leiderman amassed an eye-popping 2.024 OPS (.667 on-base pct. plus 1.357 slugging pct.).

> DIXON (pictured at right) had logged only one inning during his rookie season before rising to the occasion in his first start, twirling a three-hit shutout (4–0) that delivered the series win vs. CB360 #17 California, for an Arizona State program hoping to make a push for an NCAA Tournament bid. The freshman lefty overpowered a Bears offense that was leading the Pac-12 Conference in team batting average and runs scored, while ranking among the league’s top-three in most offensive categories.

In the economical shutout, Dixon located 70 of his 115 pitches for strikes, en route to seven strikeouts, seven groundball outs and only three walks (plus one hit batter). He allowed only two of his seven baserunners to venture into scoring position (both in the 4th, after a single, walk and teammate two-out error, before his rally-killing K). Dixon logged three 1-2-3 innings and retired 10 of his final 11 batters in the impressive blanking of the Bears.

The 15 week–10 Primetime Performer honorees include: seven pitchers (five RHPs, one LHP, and a DH/LFP two-way player) … three third basemen … two rightfielders … and a catcher, second baseman and leftfielder … six seniors (one of them a 5th-year player), five juniors, two sophomores and a pair of freshmen … two California natives and two more from Texas, plus one each from the following home states: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Washington.

… As a reminder, the CB360 Primetime Performers often are a departure from most conference and national weekly awards – with an emphasis placed on quality of opponent, contribution to team success, significance of results, consistency of play, etc. Position players are evaluated not solely based on batting avg., home runs and RBI, but also for absence of costly negative stats such as strikeouts and errors. For starting pitchers, extenuating circumstances (such as first career start, quality of the opposing starter, etc.) can play a role in selection to the Primetime Performers.

Ideally, the members of the Primetime Performers Honor Roll all have played a role in games that likely will have a significant impact on determining the 2016 NCAA tournament field – i.e key results, for notable teams.

CB360 Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed at a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s success and potential postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual); any other extenuating circumstances that make the individual’s accomplishments more noteworthy.
• Any performance that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #10 (2016)
(for week of April 11–17, 2016 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
                   “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

NICK BANKS  (Texas A&M … RF … Jr. … Tomball, TX … bats: L … 2-hole … 6–0/215 … #4)
NATHAN BANNISTER  (Arizona … RHP … Sr. … Peoria, AZ … 6–3/225 … #35)
JUSTIN CAMP  (Auburn … RHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr. … Decatur, AL … 6–2/245 … #27)
*ZACH DIXON  (Arizona State … LHP … Fr. … Las Vegas, NV … 6–0/165 … #6)
JOE DeROCHE–DUFFIN (UConn .. DH/RF .. Sr .. Santa Ana, CA..6–0/220..bats-R..cleanup..#22)
PARKER DUNSHEE  (Wake Forest … RHP … Jr. … Zionsville, IN … 6–2/210 … #36)
ED. HAUS  (St Marys .. LF .. So./Fr .. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA .. 5–10/170..bats-R..7-/6–hole..#10)
*DAVID LEIDERMAN  (Hofstra … 3B … Sr./Jr. .. Merrick, NY .. 6–3/195 .. bats: R .. 5–hole .. #24)
JOE ROBBINS  (La.-Lafayette … 3B … Jr … Pineville, LA … 5–9/195 .. bats-R .. 3/5-/2–hole .. #12)
COLIN SCHMID  (Appalachian St…DH/LHP…Fr…New Bern, NC…6–2/190..bats-L..7–hole..#21)
JORDAN SHEFFIELD  (Vanderbilt … RHP … Jr./So. … Tullahoma, TN … 6–0/185 … #24)
TREK STEMP  (Washington St .. 2B .. Sr/Jr .. Kennewick, WA .. 5–10/170 .. bats-R .. leadoff .. #25)
ETHAN STREMMEL  (McNeese State … RHP … Sr. … Lake Jackson, TX … 6–1/200 … #13)
MATT THAIS  (Virginia … C … Jr. … Jackson, NJ … 6–0/195 … bats: L … 3–hole … #21)
MITCHELL WEBB  (Georgia … 3B … So. … Dallas, GA … 6–0/205 … bats: R … 9-/8–hole … #6)

* Dixon is the CB360 National Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Leiderman the Primetime Player of the Week.

All photos are courtesy of the respective schools.

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NICK BANKS
Texas A&M … RF … Jr. … Tomball, TX
bats: L … 2-hole … 6–0/215 … #4

All-America talent who delivered in a big way during Aggies impressive sweep at CB360 #11 Mississippi State, the first time since 2010 (vs. Vanderbilt) that the Bulldogs have been swept in a series at Dudy-Noble Field (10-3; 10-6; 10-5) … hit 10–19 (.526) during four-game week, including 10-4 win vs. Abilene Christian, while factoring into 12 of his team’s runs (7 RBI–6R–HR) and collecting five extra-base hits (HR–3B–2B) … leading cog in A&M offense that has scored 10-plus runs in six straight games (longest streak by Aggies since 1993) … hit 3–5 to open series in Starkville, punctuated by opposite-field grand slam (also doubled and scored twice) … scored three times the next day in game-2 win (2-4; BB–SB) … helped cap the sweep by going 3-6 in Sunday win (3 RBI–R–2B), including the tying single in the 8th before his 2-run double in the 9th … had multiple hits in every game during the week, starting with pair of early singles vs. Abilene Christian (2 RBI) … his 2016 season totals include a .320 batting avg. with 29 RBI (5 HR–3 3B–9 2B) … collected All-American and all-SEC second team honors as a sophomore in 2015 (.364; 48 RBI–8 HR) … made immediate impact in 2014, earning Freshman All-America honors and second team all-SEC (team-best .327, plus 26 RBI and pair of HR) … played for USA Baseball Collegiate National Team during each of the past two summers (hit .386 in 2015) … an All-America performer while starring at Tomball High School … his uncle David Lemmon played college baseball at Noirth Carolina and later in MLB with both  the Chicago Cubs and White Sox … another uncle, Mike Ray, played football at Purdue.

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NATHAN BANNISTER
Arizona … RHP … Sr.
Peoria, AZ … 6–3/225 … #35

Veteran righthander who delivered the second complete game of his career, and a near-shutout, leading Wildcats to 4–1 opener vs. CB360 #31 Stanford, with Arizona going on to secure key series win … did not issue a walk in the dominant performance, while scattering five hits and striking out five in economical 114-pitch outing … 18 of his 27 outs came via Ks or groundouts (13) … retired 20 straight batters spanning the 2nd-9th innings, with only five balls leading the infield in that stretch … kept ‘Cats locked in a scoreless game until the 5th and ultimately ended up one out shy of posting a shutout win … his 2016 season stats include a 2.92 ERA and 5–1 record (45 Ks, only 10 BB in 64.2 IP, with a lowly .205 opp. batting avg.) … has dominated at home this season (5–0 with 0.86 ERA, plus only .151 opp. batting at cavernous Hi Corbett Field) … made seven starts among his 23 appearances in 2015 (3.98; 7 wins with a save; 59K–17BB in 89.2) … made 13 relief appearances in 2014, after pitching only three times as a freshman in 2013 … played during the summer of 2014 with the Cape Cod League’s New Orleans Firebirds (2.37; 4–1), after earning all-star honors in the summer of ’13 with the Alaska League title-winning Alaska Goldpanners (2.42; 6–0) … earned prep All-America honors at Liberty High School (state runner-up; also played 3B, hit .454 as a senior and set school record with 55 career doubles) … his father Glenn Bannister played college golf at Weber State.

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JUSTIN CAMP
Auburn … RHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr.
Decatur, AL … 6–2/245 … #27

His two-hit shutout, 2–0, in opener vs. CB360 #46 Tennessee propelled Tigers to series win, as NCAA Tournament longshot Auburn hopes to position for spot in SEC Tournament … stayed fresh and effective throughout the 116-pitch outing (82 strikes, 71%), the first complete game of his college career, while facing only 29 batters, with only one walk allowed … 21 of his 27 outs came via strikeouts (7) or groundouts (14) … the only two Vols hits included a bloop single in the 1st and bunt in the 5th, with Camp retiring 13 straight batters at one point and 12 straight later in the game … faced the minimum 24 batters after the 1st inning, as Tigers won SEC series for first time this season (vs. one of league’s top offenses) … delivered first-pitch strike to 21 of his 29 batters faced, while working to a 3-ball count only twice … has logged 17 straight innings without allowing an earned run … his nine starts this season feature a 3.30 ERA and 3–2 record (39 K/17 BB in 57.1 IP, with .227 opp. batting) … posted a 2.33 ERA in 2015 (2–2, 8 saves; 48K in 46.1; .229 opp. avg.), after subpar 2014 (4.01; 1–5, .246) … granted medical redshirt in 2012 before making his debut in 2013 (2.44; 5–1, .248 in 44.1) … earned prep All-America honors while starring for Austin High School.

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ZACH DIXON
Arizona State … LHP … Fr.
Las Vegas, NV … 6–0/165 … #6
> CB360 Primetime Pitcher of the Week <

Rookie pitcher who had logged only one inning all season before rising to the occasion in his first start, twirling a three-hit shutout (4–0) that delivered series win vs. CB360 #17 California, for ASU program hoping to make push for NCAA Tournament bid … overpowered Bears offense that was leading the Pac-12 in team batting and runs scored, while ranking among the league’s top-three in most offensive categories … located 70 of his 115 pitches for strikes, en route to seven strikeouts, seven groundball outs and only three walks (plus one hit batter) … allowed only two of his seven baserunners to venture into scoring position (both in the 4th, after a single, walk and teammate two-out error, before his rally-killing K) … logged three 1-2-3 innings and retired 10 of his final 11 batters … product of Centennial High School.

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JOE DeROCHE–DUFFIN
Connecticut … DH/RF … Sr. … Santa Ana, CA
6–0/220 … bats: R … cleanup … #22

Blasted three home runs during 5–0 week for NCAA Tournament hopeful UConn, capped by big AAC league series sweep of visiting CB360 #47 Houston (3-2; 4-1; 9-2) … also helped Huskies win midweek vs. Fairfield, 2-1, and 6-3 vs. fellow NCAA hopeful/NEC leader Bryant …  hit .421 (8–19) during the week with 18 total bases (3 HR; 2B), 7 RBI, 5 runs scored, and another time on-base via a walk … delivered hits in all five games during the week … homered in gm-2 and gm-3 (3-run shot B1) vs. the Cougars … batting only .263 for the season but leads the league with eight home runs while his 31 RBI rank 4th in the AAC … earned ABCA All-Northeast Region second team honors in 2015, after batting .271 with 11 HR, 39 RBI and 30 BB … started his college baseball career at UC Santa Barbara in 2013, before playing at Cypress JC in 2014 … California native who starred at Villa Park High School.

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PARKER DUNSHEE
Wake Forest … RHP … Jr.
Zionsville, IN … 6–2/210 … #36

WFU ace who shut down potent FSU offense, in tight game (1–0 thru five) until the late innings – as Deacons ultimately routed CB360 #5 Florida State, 9–0 – en route to huge series win that helped Wake’s RPI bump from #68 to #49 in only one week … held FSU hitless into the 5th, en route to 7.0 shutout frames with only two hits allowed (3 BB, 4 Ks) … his dominant outing led WFU to its  biggest margin of victory over a top-five team this century … lowered his season ERA to 3.22 (5–3; 55 Ks vs only 16 BB in 58.2 IP) … filled numerous roles on 2015 pitching staff as a sophomore (2.89; 5–3, 4 saves) – after filling key relief role in 2014 (2.17; 4–1, save, 49.2 IP) … deceptive pitcher and fierce competitor who earned 2015 Cape Cod League all-star honors with the Chatham A’s (played with Wisconsin Woodchucks in summer of ’14) … three-sport standout at Zionsville Community HS (baseball/basketball/football), including all-conference honors as record-setting quarterback.

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EDWARD HAUS 
Saint Mary’s … LF … So./Fr. … Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
5–10/170 … bats: R … 6-/7–hole … #10

Classic success story as former invited walk-on who was cut after 2014 fall practice before opting to remain at St. Mary’s, then returning this season to earn roster spot and emerge as regular starter/key bottom-of-lineup hitter … helped Gaels surge into share of West Coast Conference lead, after winning showdown series vs. CB360 #21 BYU (5-4, 7-4, 4-5) … converted infielder who has found role as starter in left field … batting .277 with 25 runs scored and 12 doubles (both second-best on the team) … rebounded from being cut from 2014-15 SMC team by excelling in 2015 summer wooden-bat league, with Slater Island Bucks (Staten Island., N.Y.) in the Hamptons League … named MVP of Hamptons League All-Star Game, before winning league batting title (.360) and ultimately earning League MVP honors … California in-state product from Peninsula High School.

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DAVID LEIDERMAN
Hofstra … 3B … Sr./Jr. … Merrick, NY
6–3/195 … bats: R … 5–hole … #24
> CB360 Primetime Player of the Week <

Collected multiple hits in all four games during week – including sweep of CB360 #29 College of Charleston (4-3, 3-1, 8-7) – while batting at a .643 clip (9-14) as part of his strong all-around offensive contributions (12 RBI–6 R–2 HR–3B–2 2B–HBP–2 SB–3 sac. bunts) while playing error-free in 14 fielding chances at the hot corner … also helped blow out Manhattan in 14-4 midweek game … homered in the 11th to end the series opener vs. CofC … reached base three times (2-2; HBP), while also executing a sac. bunt, in gm-2 vs. Charleston … capped his 6-for-9 series vs. CofC by going 2-3 in finale, highlighted by 2-run triple and 2-run double … amassed an eye-popping 2.024 OPS (.667 on-base plus 1.357 slugging) during his big week … hit .277 in 2014 (team-best 29 RBI; HR, 8 2B), after batting .248 in 2014 (18 R, 7 2B) … utilized redshirt season in 2013 … New York native and product of Bellmore JFK  High School … his father Mike Leiderman was a four-year starter for the baseball team at Queens College.

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JOE ROBBINS
Louisiana-Lafayette … 3B … Jr. … Pineville, LA
5–9/195 … bats: R … 3-/5-/2–hole … #12

Hit .467 (7-15) and slugged nearly 1.000 (2 HR, 2B) during pivotal weekend for Cajuns that included 9-2 midweek win vs. CB360 #33 Tulane before winning non-conference series vs. [36] Southeastern Louisiana (4-1, 5-16. 5-4; gm-1 at ULL, then at SE La.) … filled needed role for delivering clutch hits, as ULL continued its midseason surge as potential NCAA Regional host … his totals for the week also included 5 RBI , 4 runs and 10 times on-base (2 BB; HBP) … went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI in midweek win over the Green Wave … homered vs. Southeastern ace Kyle Cedotal to cap 4-1 series opener … closed the weekend with key double in five-run top of the 6th, as Cajuns went on to claim the series … leads team in home runs (9), runs scored (31) and walks (20) while ranking 2nd on squad with .333 batting avg. and 25 RBI … hit .230 in 2015 (23 RBI; 3 HR) after seeing his 2014 season cut short by early injury (3 GP) … made three starts (18 GP) as a freshman in 2013 (hit .118) … in-state product out of Tioga High School … both of his parents played college sports – father Ronnie with LSU baseball and mother Sue with Louisiana-Monroe softball – while his sister Megan was a softball player at Louisiana College and soccer player at LSU-Alexandria.

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COLIN SCHMID
Appalachian State … DH/LHP … Fr. … New Bern, NC
6–2/190 … bats: L … 7–hole … #21

Two-way starter who hit 5-for-11 during week while delivering his first winning decision of the season, in series-clinching game vs. CB360 #18 South Alabama (4-3, 1-8, 4-3) … hit 3-for-4 and scored twice in midweek 7-5 loss at CB360 #46 Tennessee … collected hits in first two games of the South Alabama series, before logging 7.0 innings and striking out nine (both season highs) with only one run allowed in decisive third game (6 H, BB) … retired 16 of his final 17 batters faced, as App State won a series vs. a top-25 opponent for only the second time in program history (also 2012 vs. then-#7 LSU) … over his past three starts, has allowed only three runs on 13 hits, with 16 Ks, over 19.2 innings … batting .245 for the season (13 RBI; HR) with a 6.04 ERA (1-6; 42 K, 24 BB, 48 H in 44.2 IP) … product of New Bern High School.

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JORDAN SHEFFIELD 
Vanderbilt … RHP … Jr./So.
Tullahoma, TN … 6–0/185 … #24

Registered strikeouts in every inning en route to a career-best 14 Ks, while posting Vanderbilt’s first complete game of the season, a 3–0 series opener vs. CB360 #23 Kentucky (Vandy went on to win the series, boosting its hopes for an NCAA top–8 seed) … K’s six of the first 10 batters he faced, while ultimately allowing no runners to reach third base (only two ventured into scoring position) … his dominance proved key in low-scoring game that stood 1–0 until the 7th) … the 124-pitch CG (first of his career) included only five hits allowed and a pair of walks, with 32 batters faced … the 14 Ks matched the most by a Vandy pitcher since Carson Fulmer fanned 14 vs. Ole Miss in April of 2015 … known for his high ceiling, due to electice arm and tremendous athleticism … has posted 11-plus Ks three times this season (2.85; 5–2, 55 K/43 BB w/ .193 opp. batting in 60.0 IP) … started nine games for 2015 squad that finished as CWS runner-up (2.91; 5–2, 77 K/24 BB, .215 in 55.2) … earned first team All-America honors while starring for Tullahoma High School and the U.S. Under-16 National Team … 2013 MLB draft pick of the Red Sox (13th round) … his brother Justus was a Vanderbilt commit before signing with the Cleveland Indians (2014 first-round pick) … cousin Tony Sheffield was the 2nd-round pick of the Red Sox in 1992.

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TREK STEMP 
Washington State … 2B … Sr./Jr. … Kennewick, WA
5–10/170 … bats: R … leadoff … #25

WSU sparkplug from the leadoff spot, guiding Cougars to series win vs. visiting CB360 #14 Oregon State (3-12, 7-5, 8-3) … opened series by batting 3-for-4 with a run scored and his only strikeout spanning the three games … added a single, double and run scored as WSU squared the series … came to play in decisive third game, batting 4-for-5 while factoring into half of the Cougars runs (2 RBI; 2 R) … the pair of wins gave WSU its first series win vs. Oregon State since 2010 … 2nd-leading batter in the Pac-12 (.389), while leading WSU with 22 runs scored and 9 stole bases (also has 14 RBI) … utilized redshirt season in 2015, after batting .242 in 2014 (20 R, 10 RBI) and .331 as a freshman in 2013 (27 R, 15 RBI, HR) … in-state product from Kennewick High School.

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ETHAN STREMMEL 
McNeese State … RHP … Sr.
Lake Jackson, TX … 6–1/200 … #13

Made only one run of support hold up, leading McNeese to 1–0 finale and series win at CB360 #32 Lamar (which entered the series 10-2 in the Southland Conference and winners of 15 of its 16 previous games) … scattered six hits in the near-complete game performance (8.1), with only one walk to go along with four strikeouts … faced only 29 batters in his longest outing of the season, while delivering 97 pitches against the potent Lamar offense … allowed only two runners to reach scoring position, with only one advancing to third base … the win capped a big week for McNeese, starting with a win over LSU … made 13 starts among his 16 appearances in 2015 (4.52 ERA; 5–4) … played for Galveston JC in 2013 … in-state product who helped lead Brazoswood High School to 2011 state title.

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MATT THAIS
Virginia … C … Jr. … Jackson, NJ
6–0/195 … bats: L … 3–hole … #21

Contributed hits and runs scored in all four games during key 3–1 week, as NCAA bubble team UVa boosted its RPI from #51 to #36 following 9–4 win over Longwood and series win vs. CB360 #12 North Carolina: 7–4, 1–8 and 15–9 … reached base safely in 14 of 18 plate appearances during the week (.778 on-base pct.) while batting 8-for-12 (7 RBI–5R, HR–3B; 5 BB, HBP, only 2 Ks) … smacked tying single in series opener vs. UNC, later adding pair of hits (2-run single that tied game, plus 2-run HR) in decisive game–3 … landed on base after 5-of-6 trips to the plate (3 BB) in that key 15–9 win (pushing his season on-base to .483) … his other 2016 season stats include a .379 batting avg., 27 RBI, 6 HR and 26 BB … earned third team All-America honors as a sophomore (.326; 60 RBI) while helping Cavs win College World Series title …scored lone run in early 1–0 CWS win over Florida, later homering vs. the Gators in win that clinched berth in CWS Finals … played for USA Baseball Collegiate National Team during summer of 2015 … filled mostly a backup role in 2014 (.265; 26 GP/16 GS) … product of Jackson Memorial HS and the Tri State Arsenal travel team … 2013 MLB draft pick of the Red Sox (32nd round).

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MITCHELL WEBB
Georgia … 3B … So. … Dallas, GA
6–0/205 … bats: R … 9-/8–hole … #6

Delivered from the bottom of the lineup in big week for UGa, reaching base nine times (6-for-13 with 3 walks; 2 RBI, 2 R; HR, 2 2B) as Bulldogs won 3-1 rivalry game vs. CB360 #26 Georgia Tech before huge series win vs. [4] South Carolina (1-3, 13-4, 5-3) … hit 3-for-4 with a double and run scored in low-scoring battle vs. GT … walked thre times to help UGa roll to gm-2 win vs. Gamecocks … closed the series in impressive fashion, with a home run, double and single (2 RBI) to help secure the series-clinching 5-3 victory … hit .218 as a freshman in 2015 (13 RBI; 2 HR) … in-state product who starred at third base and pitcher for East Paulding High School, where he also was an all-region quarterback (was recruited collegiately in both sports) … played summer ball for the elite East Cobb Yankees program.

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As the calendar flipped to April and teams ventured into the second half of the 2015 college baseball season, individual contributions to team success took on even greater importance for various NCAA Tournament resumes. The 11 players showcased on this page comprise the CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll for the eighth week of the 2015 season (March 30–April 5) – headlined by a pair of Illinois products in Missouri freshman righthander Tanner Houck (Collinsville) and Louisville sophomore outfielder Corey Ray (Chicago), the respective CB360 National Primetime Pitcher and Player of the Week.

Tanner Houck
(Missouri • RHP • Fr.)

front-page photo of Corey Ray courtesy of Louisville Athletics

Corey Ray
(Louisville • RF/LF • So.)

Scroll down for headshots, action photos and player info. on each of the 11 week–8 Primetime Performers, covering games played during the first week of April.

In addition to Houck and Ray, the nine other members of the CB360 week-8 Primetime Performers include: Oklahoma State jr. CF/RHP Corey Hassel (Stillwater, OK) … Michigan State sr. 1B Ryan Krill (Kalamazoo, MI) … Maryland jr. catcher Kevin Martir (Brooklyn, NY) … Washington State sr. LHP Joe Pistorese (Kalipell, MT) … Texas Tech sr. LHP Cameron Smith (Seabrook, TX) … USC sr. LF Bobby Stahel (Needles, CA) … Stetson jr. LF Vance Vizcaino (Raleigh, NC) … Missouri State jr. RHP Bryan Young (Kansas City, MO) … and Cincinnati so. RHP Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, OH).

• Previous 2015 Primetime Performer Releases:
WEEK–1  |  WEEK–2  |  WEEK–3  |  WEEK–7

Missouri freshman Tanner Houck‘s 4-hit/no-walk shutout vs. Florida helped the Tigers win the series.

HOUCK extended his stellar rookie season in a dominating outing against Florida (cb360 #4) that helped tie that series, with the Tigers going on to win the weekend matchup (1–5, 10–1, 5–3) – Mizzou’s first series win over a top-5 opponent since 2008. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound lanky right-hander retired 21 of the first 22 batters he faced and logged seven shutout innings, ultimately allowing a lone run in his 8th and final inning. He faced only 28 batters, with no walks and four hits allowed (three of them singles, one a bunt and another that went through the infield).

In his shutout against the Gators, Houck continued to showcase his tremendous control, locating 73 of 101 pitches for strikes while keeping 21 of his 24 outs in the infield (six strikeouts, 13 groundball outs, a lineout to third and a popup to short). He did not work to any three-ball counts during the entire outing. Houck’s only hit allowed before the 8th came on Richie Martin’s 2-out double to right-center in the 4th (he was stranded at second). He ultimately allowed only three runners into scoring position (one via a passed ball) and two that reached third base.

Louisville sophomore outfielder Corey Ray batted 9-for-15 with 20 total bases during a three-game week that included clinching the series at Virginia (the Cards went on to sweep the series with a Monday win).

RAY – who manned both corner outfield spots during the week – turned in impressive three-game span by batting at a .600 clip (9-for-15) with 20 total bases and a 1.333 slugging pct. that included a pair of home runs, a triple and three doubles. The lefthanded-batting 3-hole hitter also factored directly into 13 of Louisville’s runs during the week (9 RBI, 6 runs, 2 HR) while snagging a pair of stolen bases to round out his all-around damage.

In a 16–5 midweek win over Miami (Ohio), Ray delivered all of the extra-base hits (but lacked the single for the cycle), batting 3-for-5 with four RBI while also scoring three times, Then, in the series opener at Virginia (cb360 #19), Ray launched the first grand slam of his career, connecting on a one-out, 1–1 pitch from UVa ace Nathan Kirby and pulling it over the rightfield fence for a 6–1 lead (ending Kirby’s day). The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Ray also singled in that game–1 win, then hit 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles the next day (RBI, 2R, 2 SB) in 11–4 win that clinched the series. Louisville went on to sweep the series with a 4–0 Monday win.

The 11 week–8 Primetime Performer honorees include: six pitchers (two of them LHPs, plus a centerfielder/extra-inning emergency RH reliever), along with one catcher, a first basemen, two leftfielders and another corner outfielder. There are four seniors and four juniors, a pair of sophomores and one freshmen. Two of the week–8 Primetime Performers (Hock and Ray) hail from Illinois hometowns, plus one each from: California, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas

… As a reminder, the CB360 Primetime Performers often are a departure from most conference and national weekly awards – with an emphasis placed on quality of opponent, contribution to team success, significance of results, consistency of play, etc. Position players are evaluated not solely based on batting avg., home runs and RBI, but also for absence of costly negative stats such as strikeouts and errors. For starting pitchers, extenuating circumstances (such as first career start, quality of the opposing starter, etc.) can play a role in selection to the Primetime Performers.

Ideally, the members of the Primetime Performers Honor Roll all have played a role in games that likely will have a significant impact on determining the 2015 NCAA tournament field – i.e key results, for notable teams.

CB360 Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed at a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s success and potential postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual); any other extenuating circumstances that make the individual’s accomplishments more noteworthy.
• Any performance that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #8 (2015)
(for week of March 30–April 5, 2015 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
                   “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

COREY HASSEL (Oklahoma St .. CF/RHP .. Jr .. Stillwater, OK .. 5–10/175 .. bats: R .. 6-hole .. #28)
*TANNER HOUCK (Missouri … RHP … Fr. … Collinsville, IL … 6–5/200 … #11)
RYAN KRILL (Michigan State … 1B … Sr. … Kalamazoo, MI … 6–4/235 … bats: L … 2-hole … #22)
KEVIN MARTIR (Maryland … C … Jr. … Brooklyn, NY … 5–11/215 … bats: R … 3-hole … #32)
JOE PISTORESE (Washington State … LHP … Sr. … Kalipell, MT … 6–2/175 … #31)
*COREY RAY (Louisville … RF/LF … So. … Chicago, IL … 5–11/185 … bats: L … 3-hole … #2)
CAMERON SMITH (Texas Tech … LHP … Sr. … Seabrook, TX … 6–0/155 … #20)
BOBBY STAHEL (USC … LF … Sr./Jr. … Needles, CA … 5–10/190 … bats: R … leadoff … #4)
VANCE VIZCAINO (Stetson … LF … Jr./So. … Raleigh, NC … 6–3/210 … bats: L … 2-hole … #29)
BRYAN YOUNG (Missouri State … RHP … Jr./So. … Kansas City, MO … 6–1/215 … #13)
ANDREW ZELLNER (Cincinnati … RHP … So. … Farmersville, OH … 6–3/180 … #11)
* Houck is the CB360 National Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Ray the Primetime Player of the Week.

All photos are courtesy of the respective schools.

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COREY HASSEL
Oklahoma State … CF/RHP … Jr. … Stillwater, OK
5–10/175 … bats: R … 6-hole … #28

Extra-innings hero – first on the mound, and then at the plate – in epic, 18-inning series opener vs. Texas (cb360 #20), logging three shutout innings before ending game (6–3) with a 2-out, 3-run home run (sparking Cowboys on to huge series sweep) … Stillwater hometown hero who had been used mostly as a lategame defensive replacement and pinch-runner during the 2013 and ’14 seasons … prior to the clutch outing vs. the Longhorns, he had logged only two pitching appearances (both 1.0 inning, in ’14 and ’15) during his college career … centerfielder and 6-hole hitter who had three productive plate appearances in the marathon game that spanned nearly seven hours (6:51), scoring twice after a pair of hits while also executing a sacrifice bunt … led off 2nd inning in series opener with single through right side and scored on Kevin Bradley’s home run for early 2–0 lead … later executed sacrifice bunt, but that runner Dustin Williams ultimately was thrown out at the plate … called on as Cowboys ninth pitcher of the game and proceeded to face only 10 batters spanning the 16th–18th innings, with three strikeouts and one hit allowed … retired the first five batters he faced (three straight via Ks) before a Brooks Marlow 2-out single up the middle in the 17th (stranded at second) … located 26 of his 41 pitches for strikes … bottom of the 18th included Gage Green’s 1-out/full-count walk, a two-out stolen base and Hunter Hagler being hit by a 3–0 pitch … fell behind in the count against Andy McQuire (who had entered before the HBP) before pulling 1–2 pitch over leftfield fence for dramatic end to the draining game (it was only his second home run of the season/in his college career) … in gm–2, delivered sac. bunt as pinch hitter in 8th inning but Cowboys were unable to add insurance run, stranding a pair in eventual 3–1 win … closed series with a pair of hits and squeeze bunt during 8–3 sweeping victory … that squeeze bunt capped 3-run bottom of the 3rd, for 4–2 lead and eventual decisive margin in 8–3 finale … also singled during midweek game vs. in-state rival and Summit League favorite Oral Roberts (ORU won 4–2) … has made the most of his first season as a starter, ranking second on team with .326 batting avg. (16 RBI, 2 HR, 7 sac. bunts, 5 stolen bases) … was a standout baseball and football player (wide receiver/safety) at Stillwater High School.

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TANNER HOUCK
Missouri … RHP … Fr.
Collinsville, IL … 6–5/200 … #11

Lanky righthander who extended his stellar rookie season with dominating outing against Florida (cb360 #4) that helped tie series, with Tigers going on to win the weekend matchup (1–5, 10–1, 5–3) – Mizzou’s first series win over a top-5 opponent since 2008 … retired 21 of the first 22 he faced and logged seven shutout innings, ultimately allowing a lone run in his 8th and final inning … faced only 28 batters, with no walks and four hits allowed (three of them singles, one a bunt and another that went through the infield) … continued to showcase his tremendous control, locating 73 of 101 pitches for strikes while keeping 21 of his 24 outs in the infield (six strikeouts, 13 groundball outs, a lineout to third and a popup to short) and not working to any three-ball counts during the entire outing … his only hit allowed before the 8th came on Richie Martin’s 2-out double to right-center in the 4th (stranded at second) … Florida’s three hits in the 8th included Buddy Reed’s leadoff bunt and a later single through the infield … ultimately allowed only three runners into scoring position (one via a passed ball) and two that reached third base … joined junior college newcomer Reggie McClain (three-time SEC pitcher of the week) as Missouri pitchers who already have big-game efforts already this season … his 2.70 overall ERA ranks 14th among SEC pitchers while his 46 Ks are 11th … leads staff in wins (5–1, spanning eight starts) while amassing nearly a 10-to-1 K-to-walk radio (46/5), with nine more innings pitched than hits allowed (56.2, 48 H and .231 opp. batting avg.) … has posted multiple walks in only one of his eight starts … Midwest product from Collinsville (Ill.) High School.

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RYAN KRILL
Michigan State … 1B … Sr. … Kalamazoo, MI
6–4/235 … bats: L … 2-hole … #22

Veteran big bopper who homered thee times during five-game week, as Spartans closed key Big Ten series vs. Illinois (cb360 #18) and later registered impressive sweep at [42] Oregon (2–1, 9–4, 7–4) … reached base 14 times during the week while batting .429 (9-for-21, plus five free passes) and factoring directly into 14 of the MSU runs (9 RBI, 8 runs, 3 HR) … racked up a 1.465 OPS for the week (.560 on-base plus .905 slugging pct.), with his 19 total bases also including a double while his times on base featured four walks and one hit-by-pitch … in rare Monday series finale vs. the Illini, he homered, doubled and singled while driving in or scoring six of the nine Spartans runs (5 RBI, 2 R; MSU lost, 6–9) … his four multiple-hit games during the week (he had 3 BB in the game without multi hits) included going 2-for-4 midweek in 10–5 loss at Eastern Michigan (2 runs, BB) … in series opener at Oregon, walked three times and scored crucial tying run in the 8th (drew leadoff walk and scored on Blaise Salter single) – with Spartans winning 2–1, in 11 … the next day, delivered with two outs in top of the 3rd, pulling 3–1 pitch over rightfield wall for 2–2 deadlock (he later reached on a single and HBP, with MSU winning 9–4) … in series finale, singled and scored on Salter’s three-run blast as part of 4-run top of the 1st … later added another 2-run shot, to right-center in the 4th, for 7–3 lead in eventual 9–4 series sweeper … batting .261 for the season (16 RBI, 4 HR) with a +5 plate-discipline ratio (17 BB+2 HBP-14 Ks) … fourth-year starter who was key member of MSU’s 2012 NCAA Tournament team (.293, 28 RBI, 3 HR) … one of top-ranked prep players in the state of Michigan, while starring in three sports (also as football tight end and in basketball) at Portage High School … lower-round 2011 MLB Draft selection (by in-state team Detroit Tigers) … father Joseph Krill played Division I football at Western Michigan University.

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KEVIN MARTIR
Maryland … C … Jr. … Brooklyn, NY
5–11/215 … bats: R … 3-hole … #32

Reached base nine times (with 13 total bases, plus a pair of walks) during 4–0 week for the Terps, highlighted by multiple hits in each game of Big Ten showdown series sweep against Nebraska team (cb360 #23) that was coming off its own noteworthy series sweep (vs. Texas) … doubled and also reached via a walk during 3–0 midweek win over James Madison … doubled twice more, with an RBI and run scored, in 8–3 series opener versus the Huskers … followed with another 2-hit game (plus two runs scored) from his key 3-hole spot in the lineup, as Terps clinched series with 8–3 victory … in series finale, his solo home run in bottom of 4th sparked comeback from 5–0 deficit en route to 6–5 win … also drew walk in the 7th, moments after his teammates had tied game–3, and then delivered 1-out single to left field – as part of the decisive rally (his hit advanced Kevin Smith to second, with Smith going on to score the gamewinner) … ranks second on 2015 team with .376 batting avg. (5 HR, 25 RBI, 10 doubles) … also has compiled an impressive +10 plate-discipline ratio (17 BB + 6 HBP – 13 Ks) … third-year starter whose 2014 season (.269, 26 RBI, 4 HR) included earning spot on ACC All-Tournament Team (.462, 4 RBI, 2 HR) before helping Terps win Regional at South Carolina and ending season in Super Regional at Virginia, the eventual CWS runner-up … hit .279 as a freshman (30 RBI) … New York City product who initially played at Xaverian High School before transfer to Grand Street Campus.

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JOE PISTORESE
Washington State … LHP … Sr.
Kalipell, MT … 6–2/175 … #31

Veteran lefthander who went the distance in 4–0 second game at California (cb360 #21), clinching the series for WSU … faced only 32 batters and could have been fewer, as two runners reached on infield errors (plus 4 hits, 1 walk) … located 72% of his pitches for strikes (95 of 132) in the long outing, with his 27 outs including six strikouts, 11 groundball outs, six outfield flyouts and three infield popups/lineouts (plus one thrown own trying to stretch a base) … did not yield an extra-base hit and allowed only two runners past second base (one initially had reached on an error) en route to his third complete game of the season … has compiled a 2.68 ERA and 4–3 record in eight 2015 starts (32 Ks, 9 BB in 39.2 innings, with 43 H/.247 opp. avg.) … fourth-year starter who logged 98 innings as a junior (3.31; 4–3), after going 100.1 in 2013 (2.78; 5–5, 61 Ks) … his freshman season included a 2.44 ERA and 4–3 record (66.1 IP) … lower-round MLB Draft selection in 2011 (White Sox) … lettered in baseball and basketball at Flathead High School in Montana.

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COREY RAY
Louisville … RF/LF … So. … Chicago, IL
5–11/185 … bats: L … 3-hole … #2

Turned in impressive three-game span by batting at a .600 clip (9-for-15) with 20 total bases and a 1.333 slugging pct. that included a pair of home runs, a triple and three doubles … also factored directly into 13 of Louisville’s runs during the week (9 RBI, 6 runs, 2 HR) while snagging a pair of stolen bases to round out his all-around damage … delivered all of the extra-base hits (but lacked the single for the cycle) in 16–5 midweek win over Miami (Ohio), batting 3-for-5 with 4 RBI while also scoring three times … in series opener at Virginia (cb360 #19), launched first grand slam of his career, connecting on a one-out, 1–1 pitch from UVa ace Nathan Kirby and pulling it over the rightfield fence for 6–1 lead (ending Kirby’s day) … also singled in that game–1 win, then hit 4-for-5 the next day (RBI, 2R, 2 2B, 2 SB) in 11–4 win that clinched the series … Louisville went on to sweep the series with a 4–0 Monday win … ranks second in 2015 team with .326 batting avg. while owning team best totals in home runs (5), RBI (32), slugging (.541) and stolen bases (15) … his 16 extra-base hits also include eight doubles and three triples … hit .325 as a freshman in 2014 (17 RBI, HR), emerging as a lateseason starter … was a later-round 2013 MLB Draft selection, by the Seattle Mariners … Chicago-area product who starred at Simeon Career Academy and played in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field.

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CAMERON SMITH
Texas Tech … LHP … Sr.
Seabrook, TX … 6–0/155 … #20

Went the distance to tie series versus fellow 2014 CWS program TCU (cb360 #2), working around five hits, a pair of walks and two runners that reached via errors en route to huge 5–1 win for Red Raiders team that has produced uneven results in recent weeks … retired the side three times in the 134-pitch outing (88 strikes) … his 27 outs included six strikeouts, 12 groundball outs, three infield popups and six flyouts … has compiled a 2.74 ERA, 4–2 record and one save in his eight 2015 appearances (seven starts), with 42 Ks, 14 walks and 46 hits allowed in 49.1 innings (.245 opp. batting avg.) … earned 2014 honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition (2.79, 8–3, 44 Ks in 67.2) – highlighted by his shutout win against host Miami to win that NCAA Regional (the Red Raiders ultimately went on to reach the College World Series) … product of New Mexico Junior College and Clear Lake High School.

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BOBBY STAHEL
USC … LF … Sr./Jr. … Needles, CA
5–10/190 … bats: R … leadoff … #4

Led the way in Trojans series sweep at Arizona (cb360 #25), batting at a .643 clip (9-for-14) with five RBI and six runs scored as USC won 4–1, 13–6 and 10–9 … opened series with single and run scored, adding another single in that gm–1 victory … followed up with big game–2, batting 4-for-5 (2 RBI) and scoring three times in that decisive series clincher … closed series with a couple key RBI, also scoring twice, while batting 3-for-5 with a double in that tight series finale … kept pace with the nation’s top hitters, ranking fourth in Division I with a .438 season batting avg. (plus 21 RBI, 12 extra-base hits, a .578 slugging pct. and six stolen bases) … hit .235 in limited duty during 2014 season, after making 30 starts in 2013 (.273), one year after utilizing redshirt season in 2012 … three-year prep All-American while starring at Palos Verdes High School, where he led the nation in stolen bases as a sophomore (88) and as a junior (93).

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VANCE VIZCAINO
Stetson … LF … Jr./So. … Raleigh, NC
6–3/210 … bats: L … 2-hole … #29

First-year transfer who has made a big impact for the Hatters in 2015, most recently by batting .600 (9-for-15) in 4–0 week while extending his hitting streak to 10 games (with multiple hits in eight straight) … hit 2-for-4 in 6–3 midweek win over South Florida (cb360 #45) … tied a school record with five stolen bases in 6–1 series-opening win over Kennesaw State team that was picked to win the Atlantic Sun Conference and is coming off an historic 2014 season … first Stetson player since 1980 with five stolen bases in a game (first A-Sun player since ’08 with 5-plus SBs in a game) … reached base five times (3-for-3, BB, HBP) and scored three times in that game–1 win vs. Kennesaw … followed with a 2-for-4 effort (RBI, double, sac. bunt) in gm–2, as Hatters won 6–2 to clinch series … also hit 2-for-4 and scored in series-sweep 8–5 finale … batting .500 (19-for-38) in his active 10-game hitting streak and has been held hitless only four times in 2015 … leads team with .351 batting avg. (27 RBI, 10 2B, 3 3B, 8 SB) … played in 27 games (.213, 10 RBI) as a freshman at the University of Tennessee in 2013, before taking a year off from college baseball … was a later-round 2014 MLB Draft pick (by the K.C. Royals; also was drafted by the N.Y. Mets in 2012) … North Carolina product, from Wakefield High School … his father Reyes Vizcaino – currently the National Scouting Supervisor for the Kansas City Royals – played college baseball at Indian River JC and Valdosta State, followed by a pro career in the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates systems … Vance’s mother Debra Holmes played volleyball at Wake Forest (her father Greg Holmes had played played football, basketball and baseball at Rutgers).

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BRYAN YOUNG
Missouri State … RHP … Jr./So.
Kansas City, MO … 6–1/215 … #13

Entered three high-pressure games and closed the deal each time, picking up a pair of saves and the win in a 10-inning game – with his totals for the week including 4.1 no-hit/no-walk shutout innings, with six strikeouts and only 14 total batters faced (one over the minimum) … kept the ball in the infield for all but two of his batters faced – with the six Ks plus four groundball outs, a popup and the lone baserunner reaching on an E5 (throwing), along with a pair of flyouts … helped the Bears escape trouble for 2–0 midweek win at Arkansas, closing the deal on Missouri State’s first win over the Razorbacks in nine years (and first shutout vs. Arkansas since 1969) … entered that game with runners on second and third in the 8th, blowing a 1–2 pitch by Rick Nomura to end the threat – follow by a 1–2–3 bottom of the 9th (with two more Ks and a groundout) … saved 5–4 series opener in Missouri Valley Conference showdown versus Dallas Baptist (cb360 #15) … entered in the 8th with DBU runners on the corners and rolled up the rally-ending 5–3 groundout, then closed it out with another 1–2–3 effort in the 9th (F7–KS–3U) … pitcher of record in second game vs. the Patriots (4–3, in 10), with his 1.2 innings including two more Ks and a pair of groundouts … has recoded five saves while winning all three of his decisions so far in 2015, with a 2.12 ERA spanning 17.0 innings (17 Ks, 4 BB, 17 H/.250 opp. avg.) … saw his 2014 season cut short by mid-season injury (3.63, 2–2 in 9 GP) … utilized redshirt season in 2013 … Kansas City product from Staley High School.

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ANDREW ZELLNER
Cincinnati … RHP … So.
Farmersville, OH … 6–3/180 … #11

Usual starting pitcher who converted to closer role for series vs. UCF (cb360 #8) and delivered saves in first two games (4–1, 5–3), logging 5.0 shutout innings in the process with five strikeouts, no walks and four hits allowed (all singles, one that stayed in the infield and two others that were slapped through the infield) … part of Bearcats picking staff that allowed only six runs in the series, against UCF squad that ranked among the top–5 nationally in several key offensive stats … closed series opener with 3.0 shutout innings, working around a pair of singles through the infield thanks to five strikeouts (plus a double-play groundball, a popup to shortstop and a flyout) … his 2.0 shutout frames to close game–2 featured three groundball outs and a lineout snared by the shortstop (one of the two singles went to third base) … his 2015 season totals include a 1.17 ERA and 2–0 record in 10 appearances (7 starts), with 27 Ks, 17 walks and 32 hits allowed (.227 opp. avg.) in 38.1 innings … made 10 starts and three relief appearances as a freshman in 2014 (4–4, 21 Ks in 50.1) … in-state product from Valley View High School, where he also lettered multiple years in football and basketball.

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A pair of veteran pitchers – Long Beach State righthander Kyle Friedrichs (San Clemente, Calif.) and Nebraska LHP Kyle Kubat (Waterloo, Neb.) – headline the latest edition of CB360 Primetime Performers, a weekly honor roll that highlights players who performed at a high level with plenty on the line. Friedrich and Kubat are the CB360 National Co-Primetime Pitchers of the Week, and are joined by 13 others in comprising the week–7 Primetime Performers Honor Roll.

Kyle Friedrichs
(Long Beach State • RHP • Sr.)

Scroll down to see headshots, action photos and an info. capsule for each of the 15 Primetime Performers, covering games played during the final full week of March.

• Previous 2015 Primetime Performer Releases:
WEEK–1  |  WEEK–2  |  WEEK–3

front-page photo of Kyle Kubat courtesy of Nebraska

Kyle Kubat
(Nebrasaka • LHP • Sr.)

The other 13 members of the week–7 Primetime Performers Honor Roll include: Cal Poly jr. RHP Casey Blomquist (Bakersfield, CA) … Baylor so. LHP Daniel Castano (Austin, TX) … Winthrop so. LHP Matt Crohan (Jamestown, NY) … Navy jr. CF Robert Currie (Atlanta, GA) … Florida Gulf Coast jr. RHP Jordan Desquin (Newport Beach, CA) … Kentucky sr. RHP Spencer Jack (Los Angeles, CA) … Middle Tennessee jr. CF Ronnie Jebavy (Murfreesboro, TN) … Southern Miss. 5th-yr. sr. RHP James McMahon (Hattiesburg, MS) … Arizona sr. C Riley Moore (Santa Barbara, CA) … Michigan fr. RHP Ryan Nutof (South Elgin, IL) … Iowa jr. RHP/1B Tyler Peyton (Grimes, IA) … Auburn so. RHP/DH Keegan Thompson (Cullman, AL) … and New Mexico fr. C Cory Voss (Pueblo, CO).

Over the years, there have been certain weeks when the bulk of the Primetime Peformers are pitchers and this is one of those weeks – with the 15 honorees including nine righthanders (two of them two-way talents), plus a pair of lefties, along with two catchers and a couple centerfielders. Five of the honorees are juniors, plus three seniors, three sophomores, a couple freshmen and a pair of fifth-year seniors. The 15 include five who hail from California hometowns, plus one each from: Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee and Texas.

Long Beach State’s Kyle Friedrichs posted a two-hit shutout while facing only 30 batters, in the 2–0 series opener at cb360 #15 UC Santa Barbara.

FRIEDRICHS – whose teammate Chris Mathewson was the week–3 Primetime Pitcher of the Week – is a converted closer who registered his fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season last week, en route to the top outing of his career. The fifth-year senior matched an equally strong complete game from UCSB’s Dillon Tate with the first solo shutout of his own career: a two-hitter that opened the series at UC Santa Barbara (cb360 #15) with a 2–0 win for the Dirtbags.

Despite facing a UCSB offense that sported a .307 team batting average and was fresh off an 18–4 rout of LMU, Friedrich retired the first 10 Gauchos batters and ultimately faced only 30 batters (three over the minimum; one reached via error), with no walks or hit batters. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-hander kept nearly every ball in the infield, with a career-best 13 strikeouts, plus 10 groundball outs, a lineout to short, one runner caught stealing and only two outfield flyouts. UCSB’s only runner who ventured past first base came in the 6th, after an infield throwing error and a hit batter (no Gauchos reached third base).

UCSB’s only hits vs. Friedrichs were Luke Swenson’s 1-out single down the leftfield line in the 4th, and pinch-hitter Billy Fredrick’s 2-out single up the middle in the 8th. The veteran posted strikeouts in all nine innings and K’d eight different Gauchos batters. The two-hit shutout countered a strong complete game from Tate (2 unearned runs, 3 H, 1 BB, 10 Ks).

Nebrakska’s Kyle Kubat logged eight shutout innings to front a 19-K, 15-inning 1–0 win over cb360 #13 Texas.

KUBAT fronted a 19-strikeout game from the Nebraska pitching staff during a rare 0–0 extra-inning thriller, with the Huskers scoring in the bottom of the 15th for a 1–0 win over Texas (cb360 #13) – en route to eventual series sweep. the senior southpaw logged 8.0 strong innings while combining with relievers Jake Hohensee, Colton Howell and Jeff Chesnut in the staff’s marathon 4-hit, 3-walk shutout.

Despite allowing three early hits, the 6–1, 195-pound Kubat did not  walk a batter and struck out nine, matching his career-best. The fiery starter ultimately faced only 27 batters (three over the 8-inning minimum) and was part of a Huskers staff that allowed only seven total baserunners, with two reaching scoring position.

Kubat – who retired the final 13 batters he faced – located 73 of his 102 pitches for strikes. His 24 outs included the nine Ks, plus eight groundball outs, an infield foulout and lineout, and five outfield flyouts.

… As a reminder, the CB360 Primetime Performers often are a departure from most conference and national weekly awards – with an emphasis placed on quality of opponent, contribution to team success, significance of results, consistency of play, etc. Position players are evaluated not solely based on batting avg., home runs and RBI, but also for absence of costly negative stats such as strikeouts and errors. For starting pitchers, extenuating circumstances (such as first career start, quality of the opposing starter, etc.) can play a role in selection to the Primetime Performers.

Ideally, the members of the Primetime Performers Honor Roll all have played a role in games that likely will have a significant impact on determining the 2015 NCAA tournament field – i.e key results, for notable teams.

CB360 Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed at a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s success and potential postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual); any other extenuating circumstances that make the individual’s accomplishments more noteworthy.
• Any performance that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #7 (2015)
(for week of March 23–29, 2015 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
                            “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

CASEY BLOOMQUIST (Cal Poly … RHP … Jr. … Bakersfield, CA … 6–3/185 … #37)
DANIEL CASTANO (Baylor … LHP … So. … Austin, TX … 6–4/210 … #22)
MATT CROHAN (Winthrop … LHP … So. … Jamestown, NY … 6–4/200 … #32)
ROBERT CURRIE (Navy … CF … Jr. … Atlanta, GA … 5–9/160 … bats: R … 2-hole … #2)
JORDAN DESQUIN (Florida Gulf Coast … RHP … Jr. … Newport Beach, CA … 6–1/195 … #25)
*KYLE FRIEDRICHS (Long Beach St. … RHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr. … San Clemente, CA … 6–1/190 … #37)
SPENCER JACK (Kentucky … RHP … Sr. … Los Angeles, CA … 6–3/215 … #34)
RONNIE JEBAVY (Middle Tenn. … CF … Jr. … Murfreesboro, TN … 6–2/185 … bats: R … 3-hole … #1)
*KYLE KUBAT (Nebraska … LHP … Sr. … Waterloo, NE … 6–1/195 … #31)
JAMES McMAHON (Southern Miss. … RHP … 5th-Yr. Sr. … Hattiesburg, MS … 6–1/210 … #6)
RILEY MOORE (Arizona … C … Sr. … Santa Barbara, CA … 6–3/190 … bats: L … 3-hole … #6)
RYAN NUTOF (Michigan … RHP … Fr. … South Elgin, IL … 6–2/185 … #8)
TYLER PEYTON (Iowa … RHP/1B … Jr. … Grimes, IA … 6–3/180 … bats: R … 3-hole … #38)
KEEGAN THOMPSON (Auburn … RHP/DH … So. … Cullman, AL … 6–1/210 … bats: R … 8-hole … #7)
CORY VOSS (New Mexico … C … Fr. … Pueblo, CO … 5–10/195 … bats: R … cleanup … #15)
* CB360 National Primetime Pitchers of the Week.

All photos are courtesy of the respective schools.

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CASEY BLOOMQUIST
Cal Poly … RHP … Jr.
Bakersfield, CA … 6–3/185 … #37

Went the distance in 8–1 opener vs. Oregon State (cb360 #22), sparking Mustangs on to win the series – as Cal Poly (now 9–16) looks to jumpstart its disappointing 2015 season … faced only 31 batters (four over the min.) in efficient 96-pitch outing that limited the Beavs to four hits with no bases on balls … his only run allowed came in the 4th, after a leadoff triple and run-scoring groundout … the only other Oregon State runner that reached scoring position came one inning earlier, after a single and sac. bunt (stranded at second) … kept the ball down in the zone most of the night, with 21 of his 27 outs staying in the infield (17 groundball outs, three strikeouts and a popup to first base) … retired the first nine batters, en route to six 1–2–3 innings and his third career complete game … has compiled a 3.08 ERA and 2–2 record in his six 2015 starts (33 Ks, 14 BB, 30 H in 38.0 innings), with only one hit batter and no home runs allowed … collected first team All-America honors as a sophomore in 2014, on team that finished 47–12 and earned an NCAA Regional host spot (he had a 1.56 ERA and 12–2 record, plus 74 K and 20 BB in 98.0 IP) … served mostly as a midweek starter in 2013 (5.02, 6–2, 39 Ks in 52.0) … earned NSCAA first team All-America honors while starring for Bakersfield Christian High School.

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DANIEL CASTANO
Baylor … LHP … So.
Austin, TX … 6–4/210 … #22

Turned in the first complete game of his career, working out of various jams in 3–0 win over Oklahoma (cb360 #34) in series opener, with Bears also taking gm–2 to claim the series … scattered five hits (two of them doubles) and five walks while locating 75 of his 119 pitches for strikes … first Baylor pitcher since 2011 to post a solo shutout and first to do so in a Big 12 game since 2008 … his 27 outs included four strikeouts, 11 groundball outs, four other infield outs (via popup, lineout or foulout) and seven outfield flyouts (plus one runner thrown out trying to stretch a base) … has compiled a 1.82 ERA and 2–3 record in eight 2015 appearances (six starts), with 26 Ks, 13 walks and 45 hits allowed in 39.2 innings (only one hit batter and no home runs allowed) … named to the 2014 Big 12 All-Freshman Team (3.34, 5–4, 39 K, 22 BB, 72 H in 72.0) … product of Lake Travis High School and Austin Wings summer team that won two national championships … father Alex Castano was a linebacker with the Rice football team.

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MATT CROHAN
Winthrop … LHP … So.
Jamestown, NY … 6–4/200 … #32

Racked up 12 strikeouts while logging the longest outing (8.0 innings) of his college career, leading Eagles to 3–0 win in series finale vs. Big South Conference contender Coastal Carolina (cb360 #42) … faced only 26 batters (two over the minimum) after limiting Chants to a single hit and three walks, with one runner erased on his 1st-inning pickoff and another on a 7th-inning lineout double play …. faced the minimum 12 batters over the first four innings and did not face more than four batters in any inning … struck out eight different Coastal starters, en route to snapping CCU’s 11-game winning streak … allowed only one baserunner with no outs on the board (leadoff walk in the 7th), while two of his four baserunners came with two outs already in the books … in addition to the dozen strikeouts (two looking), his 24 outs also included five outfield flyouts, five infield popup/linedrive outs (including the DP), one groundball out and the pickoff … has fashioned a 2.00 ERA and 3–2 record in his seven 2015 starts, with nearly a 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (47/10) and 11 more innings pitched than hits allowed (25 H in 36.0 IP, with a lowly .200 opp. batting avg.) … served mostly as a reliever as a freshman in 2014 (4.37, 1–4 in 17 GP/5 GS, with 23 K, 15 BB and 45 H in 35.0) … product of Riverhead High School.

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ROBERT CURRIE
Navy … CF … Jr. … Atlanta, GA
5–9/160 … bats: R … 2-hole … #2

Speedy centerfielder and prototypical 2-hole hitter who played lead role in Navy’s 4-game series sweep of Patriot League favorite Bucknell: 4–2 (7 inn.), 7–1, 2–1 (10) and 6–5 (14) … reached base nine times while totaling 11 productive plate appearances in the pair of doubleheaders, after batting 6-for-15 along with a walk, two times hit-by-pitch and four key runs scored (plus two RBI, a triple and a pair of sacrifice bunts) … in 7-inning series opener, legged out his sixth triple of the season (tied for the national lead) while batting 2-for-2 with an RBI, run scored and sacrifice bunt … capped Sat. DH by batting 2-for-4 with another run and sac. bunt … added a single in tight third game (that extended from seven to 10 innings), then played key role in 14-inning finale (four times on base while factoring into three runs, two of them in extra innings) … worked ahead of count in bottom of 11th before being hit by a pitch to bring home tying run and extend that exciting game-4 … then, in bottom of 14th, jumped on first pitch for 1-out, opposite-field single to right and ultimately scored the winning run (his gm-4 stat line included 2 runs and 2 HBP) … ended series on 10-game hitting streak while having reached base in 16 straight games (on-base in 25 of 26 games overall this season) … had been sidelined for three previous games, including midweek 2–0 loss vs. UMBC … ranks second on 2015 team with .346 batting avg. (24 RBI, 22 runs, .435 on-base pct.) … named second team All-Patriot League as a sophomore in 2014 (hit .359 with .431 on-base, 39 runs scored, 6 triples and 26 stolen bases; reached base in final 24 games) … batted .273 as a freshman in 2013 (24 R, 19 RBI, 8 SB) … helped The Lovett School win 2009 Georgia state championship, also lettering in football as a running back and corner back.

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JORDAN DESQUIN
Florida Gulf Coast … RHP … Jr.
Newport Beach, CA … 6–1/195 … #25

Junior college transfer who broke onto the scene in a big way during 8–1 midweek win at Miami (cb360 #12), going the distance while facing only 32 batters (five over the minimum; 4 hits, 1 walk) … his first start on the Division I level included five strikeouts, 13 outfield flyouts, six groundball outs and three infield popups/foulouts (118 total pitches)  … his lone run allowed came in the 3rd inning, with only two other Miami runners reaching second base (both via stolen bases; neither advanced to third) … struck out all three batters in the opening inning and retired the first seven batters he faced, later adding three straight 1–2–3 innings in the 6th through 8th … his impressive first half of the 2015 season includes a 2.10 ERA, 3–0 record and nearly a 6-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (23/4), while allowing only 16 hits (no home runs) in 25.2 innings (.172 opp. batting avg.) … named the Golden Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year while starring for Feather River Junior College (in Quincy, Calif.).

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KYLE FRIEDRICHS
Long Beach State … RHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr.
San Clemente, CA … 6–1/190 … #37
– CB360 National Co-Primetime Pitcher of the Week –

Fifth-year pitcher/converted closer who registered his fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season en route to the top outing of his career, matching strong complete game from UCSB’s Dillon Tate with the first solo shutout of his own career: a two-hitter that opened series at UC Santa Barbara (cb360 #15) with 2–0 win for the Dirtbags … retired first 10 batters he faced, against UCSB offense that sported a .307 team batting average and was fresh off an 18–4 rout of LMU … faced only 30 batters (three over the minimum; one reached via error), with no walks or hit batters … kept nearly every ball in the infield, with a career-best 13 strikeouts, plus 10 groundball outs, a lineout to short, one runner caught stealing and only two outfield flyouts … UCSB’s only runner who ventured past first base came in the 6th, after an E5 (throwing) and hit-by-pitch (no Gauchos reached third base) … UCSB’s only hits were Luke Swenson’s 1-out single down the leftfield line in the 4th, and pinch-hitter Billy Fredrick’s 2-out single up the middle in the 8th … posted strikeouts in all nine innings and K’d eight different UCSB batters … countered equally strong complete game from Tate (2 unearned runs, 3 H, 1 BB, 10 Ks) … has racked up an eye-popping 12-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season (61/5), plus a 2.58 ERA, 4–1 record and 35 hits allowed in 45.1 innings (.209 opp. batting avg.) … led 2014 staff with six saves in 23 relief appearances (4.10, 2–1, 24 Ks, 6 BB) … utilized redshirt season in 2013, after earning second team All-Big West honors in 2012 (10 saves in 29 GP, 1.88, 39 Ks, 10 BB) … filled multiple bullpen roles as a freshman in 2011 (3.99, 4–2, 47.1 IP) … product of San Clemente High School.

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SPENCER JACK
Kentucky … RHP … Sr.
Los Angeles, CA … 6–3/215 … #34

Veteran reliever who closed three wins during historic week – including pair of victories at LSU (cb360 #1), as Wildcats registered huge road series win … faced only 19 batters (three over the minimum) in 5.1 total innings during the week, with three strikeouts, two walks and only one hit allowed … in the opener at LSU, after Kentucky had taken a 5–3 lead in the top of the 12th, the Tigers had two runners in scoring position thanks to a pair of errors … took the mound to save the day (literally) in that game–1, allowing a sacrifice fly and then also retiring the next two batters for the thrilling 5–4 win … two days later, in the series finale, entered in the 8th with the ‘Cats clinging to an 8–7 lead and he ultimately picked up the win with 3.2 strong innings in that 11-inning, 12–10 victory (H, 2 BB, 3 Ks) … LSU’s tying run came on a sacrifice fly from dangerous All-American Alex Bregman (Jack stranded the other inherited runner in the 8th) … also closed out midweek 9–4 win over Morehead State, retiring both batters he faced … has totaled four saves and a 3.27 ERA so far in 2015 (8 Ks, 3 BB, 8 H in 11.0 IP) … compiled a 1.16 ERA in 38.2 innings as a junior in 2014 (4 saves, 4–1, 26 GP, 31 Ks, 8 BB, 28 H) … played in 2013 at Glendale Community College and in 2012 at Jacksonville University (9 GP/2 GS, 10.2 IP. 5 Ks) … product of Loyola High School … father Ian Jack was a member of the varsity tennis team at UC Santa Barbara … cousin Damon Lembi was a member of Arizona State’s 1994 College World Series team.

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RONNIE JEBAVY
Middle Tennessee … CF … Jr. … Murfreesboro, TN
6–2/185 … bats: R … 3-hole … #1

Transfer addition who has settled into the pivotal No. 3 spot in the batting order while emerging as MTSU’s top hitter – most recently batting at nearly a .500 clip (10-for-21) during five-game week that included key sweep of Old Dominion (cb360 #47), which had taken 2-of-3 from Rice the previous week … hit safely in all five games while compiling a 1.284 OPS (.522 on-base plus .762 slugging) that included a home run, triple and double, two walks, a pair of stolen bases, four runs scored and three RBI … opened the week with a solo home run (plus a single) in high-scoring game vs. cb360 #3 Vanderbilt (a 12–7 Vandy win) … added two more hits, plus an RBI, as team’s lone bright spot in 8–1 loss vs. Lipscomb … stroked go-ahead triple in series-opening, 7–2 win vs. ODU (also had a walk and run scored) … followed with big game–2 vs. the Monarchs, batting 3-for-4 and scoring twice (2B, SB) in that 8–2 win … closed series with two more hits, plus a key 9th-inning walk as part of rally for two runs and 5–4 win that moved the CUSA-leading Blue Raiders to 8–1 in conference play … in addition to team-best .384 batting avg., has 15 RBI, pair of home runs and CUSA-best 15 stolen bases (in 16 attempts) … junior college transfer from Columbia (Tenn.) State and product of Riverdale High School … step-brother Ryan Stephens (’14) is a former MTSU centerfielder … grandfather Ron Jebavy pitched at Notre Dame while his uncle Ron Jebavy was a member of the James Madison football team.

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KYLE KUBAT
Nebraska … LHP … Sr.
Waterloo, NE … 6–1/195 … #31
– CB360 National Co-Primetime Pitcher of the Week –

Fronted 19-strikeout game from Nebraska pitching staff during rare 0–0 extra-inning thriller, with Huskers scoring in bottom of 15th for 1–0 win over Texas (cb360 #13) – en route to eventual series sweep … logged 8.0 strong innings while combining with relievers Jake Hohensee, Colton Howell and Jeff Chesnut in staff’s marathon 4-hit, 3-walk shutout … allowed three early hits but did not walk a batter and struck out nine (matching his career-best), ultimately facing only 27 batters (three over the 8-inning minimum) … part of Huskers staff that allowed only seven total baserunners, with just two reaching scoring position … retired the final 13 batters he faced … located 73 of his 102 pitches for strikes … his 24 outs included the nine Ks, plus eight groundball outs, an infield foulout and lineout, and five outfield flyouts … his stellar 2015 season had produced a 1.33 ERA and 4–0 record in seven starts, plus 33 Ks and only 9 walks in 47.1 innings (37 H, no HRs; .211 opp. batting avg.) … started 12 games in 2014 (4.55 ERA, 5–2) while earning spot on Big Ten All-Tournament Team for second straight season … missed first 33 games of 2013 season due to shoulder soreness (1.81, 5–0 in 8 GS) … earned 2012 Freshman All-America and third team All-Big Ten honors (2.63, 5–1 in 15 GP, 51.1 IP) … in-state product from Creighton Prep.

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JAMES McMAHON
Southern Miss. … RHP … 5th-Yr. Sr.
Hattiesburg, MS … 6–1/210 … #6

Extended his impressive final season in college baseball with 11 shutout innings during pair of starts versus teams in the CB360 Top-50 (#39 Mississippi State and #26 Rice), scattering seven hits with only one walk plus a hit batter while striking out five over the two games … made pitch-count midweek start vs. Mississippi State, facing only 12 batters (one over the minimum) in 3.2 innings (2 H, BB, 2 Ks) as part of 3–0 shutout victory … returned to the mound in Sunday series finale vs. Rice and picked up the win in that 5–1 game, after 7.1 shutout innings (5 H, HB, 3 Ks) … faced the minimum 12 batters over the first four innings vs. the Owls … has yet to lose in seven 2015 starts (5–0), thanks to a lowly 0.77 ERA plus 31 Ks and only 11 walks in 45.1 innings (30 H, no HRs; .189 opp. batting avg.) … made 13 relief appearances in 2014 (6.97, 1–0, 10.1 IP), after logging only 6.1 innings in seven 2013 relief stints … utilized a redshirt season in 2011 before filling mid-relief role in 2012 (5.11, 2–1, 17 GP, 37 IP, 23 Ks) … local product from Oak Grove High School, where he also was the starting quarterback.

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RILEY MOORE
Arizona … C … Sr. … Santa Barbara, CA
6–3/190 … bats: L … 3-hole … #6

Unique commodity as a lefthanded-hitting catcher in the 3-hole, coming off solid all-around series while leading Wildcats to series sweep of visiting Oregon (cb360 #23): 7-2, 9-5 and 13-4 … reached base seven times in the series (5-for-12, with a pair of walks) while delivering an extra-base hit in each game and handling a ‘Cats pitching staff that posted three big wins … tripled and scored in series opener vs. the Ducks, then reached base three times and factored into three runs during game–2 (2-for-4, BB, 2 RBI, R, 2B) … closed series with that same stat line, as Arizona completed the sweep … now batting .324 for the season (27 RBI, 3 HR) … fourth-year starter who hit .285 as a sophomore in 2013 (37 RBI, 34 BB) … collected 2012 Freshman All-America honors (.301, 38 RBI; caught 96% of team’s innings) while helping Arizona win the NCAA title … named to the 2012 College World Series All-Tournament Team, after batting 7-for-17 in Omaha … selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 21st round of the 2011 MLB Draft … southern California product, from San Marcos High School … his four older siblings are quadruplets (three brothers and a sister) … father Mitch Moore played minor league baseball in the Angels organization … brother Keric Moore was a varsity foil fencer at UC San Diego.

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RYAN NUTOF
Michigan … RHP … Fr.
South Elgin, IL … 6–2/185 … #8

Promising rookie addition who delivered in big-game setting with 7.1 shutout innings, as Wolverines won 10–1 to split doubleheader vs. visiting Maryland (cb360 #19) – en route to eventually wining the series … limited the Big Ten’s top offense to five hits and one walk, while striking out six … kept the bulk of his outs (16 of 22) in the infield, with the six Ks along with nine grounballs outs (four back to the mound, plus a timely double-play ball) and a popup to the shortstop … opened the game with a 1–2-3 inning and did not allow any runners past second base … has compiled a 2.92 ERA while going 2–2 in seven starts so far in 2015, with 32 Ks, 18 walks and 34 hits (no HR; .223 opp. batting avg.) in 40.0 innings … product of South Elgin High School.

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TYLER PEYTON
Iowa … RHP/1B … Jr. … Grimes, IA
6–3/180 … bats: R … 3-hole … #38

Delivered on the mound and at the plate, as Hawkeyes swept visiting Indiana (cb360 #28): 2–0, 5–1 and 10–6 … took the mound for the series opener and went the distance for his first shutout on the DI level, scattering five strikeouts and no walks wile striking out five – as Iowa beat an opponent ranked in the top-25 for the first time since 2012 (the shutout also ended Iowa’s 8-game losing streak vs. IU) … faced only 31 batters (four over the minimum) in 111-pitch outing, while keeping most of his outs in the infield, with the five Ks, plus 13 groundball outs (including double plays in the first two innings), four infield popups/lineouts, a runner thrown out trying to stretch a base, and only four outfield flyouts … the complete game helped save the Iowa bullpen, setting the stage for the big series sweep … also produced RBI groundout in first inning of the 2–0 opener, adding a single and and later hitting another groundball that forced a run-scoring error, for 8th-inning insurance …

… hit 6-for-17 during four-game week, with three RBI and a pair of runs scored … tripled in midweek 5–2 loss vs. Bradley … drew a walk in gm–2 vs. the Hoosiers, then enjoyed big offensive game in the 10–6 series finale – batting 4-for-5 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored … the weekend produced Iowa’s first sweep of a top-25 opponent since 1990 … has compiled a 2.39 ERA and 3–2 record in his seven 2015 starts (35 Ks, 11 BB, 37 H in 37.2 IP) … ranks second on 2015 team with .329 season batting avg. (12 RBI) … as a sophomore in 2014, made 37 starts at first base (.331, 28 RBI, 2 HR) and 14 on the mound (4.96, 5–1, 45 Ks, 33 BB, 76 IP) … started his college career in 2013 at Iowa Central Community College … local product who starred in baseball, football (wide receiver) and basketball at Dallas Center Grimes High School … father Byron Peyton played professional baseball in the Cincinnati Reds organization … both of his parents played college sports at Buena Vista University, in Storm Lake, Iowa (father: baseball and basketball; mother Jana: tennis).

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KEEGAN THOMPSON
Auburn … RHP/DH … So. … Cullman, AL
6–1/210 … bats: R … 8-hole … #7

Turned in a season-long eight strong innings in game–2 at Mississippi State (cb360 #39), leading the way in 4–0 series clincher – as Auburn posted consecutive road shutouts vs. an SEC opponent for the first time since 1967 (first vs. SEC opponent, regardless of site, since ’88 and program’s first back-to-back shutouts vs. any opponents since 2001) … also launched early solo home run in series finale, a 3–1 win for the host Bulldogs … limited ‘Dogs to four hits, plus one walk and a hit batter, while striking out five in his eight shutout innings … his 24 outs in the 121-pitch outing included the five Ks, six groundball outs, three infield popups and nine outfield flyoutts (plus a runner gunned down at the plate) … served as DH in series finale, batting out of the 8-hole, and pulled 1–1 pitch over leftfield fence to forge 1–1 game in the 3rd … has gone 5–2 with a 3.38 ERA in his seven 2015 starts, while compiling a 4.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio (43 Ks/10 BB in 45.1 IP; 43 H, .251 opp. batting avg.) … posted a Freshman All-America season in 2014 (2.01, 5–3, 14 GP/12 GS, 73 Ks in 89.2 IP, .192 opp. avg.) … three-year prep All-American and two-time Gatorade Alabama State Player of the Year, while starring for Cullman High School … won gold medals with Team USA youth national teams on the 16U and 18U levels … projected to be a top-20 overall prospect for the 2016 MLB Draft (per Perfect Game).

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CORY VOSS
New Mexico … C … Fr. … Pueblo, CO
5–10/195 … bats: R … cleanup … #15

Recorded multiple hits in all four games during the week, while batting at a .562 clip (9-for-16) with extra-base hits in all four games, plus a pair of walks, four runs scored and an RBI – as the NCAA Tournament hopeful Lobos snapped a six-game losing streak with 7–6 win at Texas Tech (cb360 #27) before winning key Mountain West series vs. Fresno State (1–8, 5–1, 6–5) … hit 2-for-5 with a run scored in the midweek road win over the Red Raiders, with his double sparking UNM’s four-run top of the 2nd … led the way in series opener vs. Fresno, batting 3-for-5 (with a double), scoring twice and adding an RBI … the next day, went 2-for-4 and doubled for third straight game, as one of few bright spots in game-2 loss … played lead role in series-clinching win, reaching on all four of his plate appearances (2-for-2, 2 BB) while scoring once and legging out an RBI triple (his MWC-leading fifth triple of the season) …  ranks second on team with .361 season batting avg. (15 RBI, 2 HR) … product of Pueblo South High School … drafted in 2014 by his home-state team, the Colorado Rockies (34th round).

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Two players with great personal stories – a former Marine Corps medic (and MLB progeny) who plays for one of the nation’s elite academic institutions, and a somewhat unheralded newcomer who fronted the first no-hitter in Long Beach State history – highlight the CB360 Week–3 Primetime Performers Honor Roll, as presented by CollegeBaseball360.com. Columbia senior DH Joey Falcone (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is the CB360 National Primetime Player of the Week and Long Beach State freshman righthander Chris Mathewson the Primetime Pitcher of the week, with 14 others joining them on the Primetime Performers Honor Roll for the final week of the opening month in the 2015 college baseball season (Feb. 23–March 1)

• Previous 2015 Primetime Performers (full releases):  WEEK–1  |  WEEK–2

Joey Falcone
(Columbia • Sr. DH • Brooklyn, NY)

Details follow below for Falcone and Mathewson (also scroll down, with headshots and actions of all 16 included on this page).

Chris Mathewson
(Long Beach State • RHP • Fr. Fontana, CA)

In addition to Falcone and Mathewson, the other week-3 Primetime Performers include: Oregon jr. 1B Brandon Cuddy (Tulsa, OK) … Rhode Island so. RHP Lou Distasio (Yarmouth, ME) … CS Fullerton so. 1B Josh Estill (Carlsbad, CA) … Auburn so. CF Anfernee Grier (Phenix City, AL) … Nebraska sr. 3B Blake Headley (Omaha, NE) … Louisiana-Monroe sr. RHP Alex Hermeling (Northbrook, IL) … San Diego jr. RHP David Hill (Orange, CA) … UCF jr. LHP Harrison Hukari (St. Petersburg, FL) … UCSB jr. LHP Justin Jacome (Redlands, CA) … UConn so. LHP Anthony Kay (Stony Brook, NY) … Louisiana-Lafayette fr. LHP Gunner Leger (Lake Charles, LA) … Georgia Southern so. LHP Jason Richman (Alpharetta, GA) … San Diego State jr. SS Danny Sheehan (Covina, CA) … and Fresno State jr. C Taylor Ward (Oviedo, FL ).

The 16 week-3 Primetime Performers include: nine pitchers (six of them LHPs) and a pair of first basemen, plus a catcher, shortstop, third baseman, centerfielder and DH. Six of the honorees are juniors, plus five sophomores, three seniors and a pair of freshmen. The 16 include five who hail from California hometowns, plus two each from Florida and New York, and one each from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

FALCONE – who spent six years as a Marine Corps medic –led the way for a Columbia offense that was hitting outside for the first time all season and opening its 2015 campaign with a challenging 4–game series at the University of Houston (cb360 #6). After losing their season opener 3–0, the Lions went on to earn a split of the series and easily could have won 3-of-4 (the Cougars rallied to win gm-3, 8–7, after trailing 7–5 in the late innings). From his spot near the bottom of the batting order, the lefthanded-hitting Falcone batted at a .500 clip in the series (7-for-14) – with all but one of those hits going for extra bases, highlighted by a pair of home runs plus four doubles. His huge first week also included seven RBI, four runs scored, eight total times on bases (once via a hit-by-pitch), no strikeouts and a lofty 1.767 OPS (.533 on-base plus 1.214 slugging pct.).

Columbia senior DH Joey Falcone hit 7-for-14 with two home runs, four doubles, seven RBI and no strikeouts in a 4-game series split at Houston – as the Lions opened their 2015 season in impressive fashion.

Four of Falcone’s hits in the series came on first-pitch offerings and the imposing 6-foot-5, 225-pound lefty amazingly saw only 10 total pitches across his seven hits. Only once did he collect a hit when ahead in the count (1–0, with the other two coming on 0–1 counts).

In Columbia’s season opener, Falcone stroked a pair of doubles against Houston’s ace, Andrew Lantrip, but he was left stranded as the rest of the Lions team hit only 4-for-29. Then, in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader, the former Marine was hit by a two-out pitch – leading to pair of early Columbia runs – and he later led off the 7th (versus another high-end starter, Jake Lemoine) with a first-pitch home run to center field in one of his two official at-bats, yielding a 3–0 lead (the Lions went on to win, 5–4 in 13 innings).

Falcone’s 2-for-4 effort in the nightcap helped stake Columbia to a 7–5 late-game lead. He jumped on another first pitch for a clutch hit in the 4th inning of gm-3, sending a 1-out/2-run single into center field as part of the Lions three-run sequence. In the 6th, Falcone went the other way on yet another first-pitch from Garza, doubling down the leftfield line for a clutch two-out hit.

In the Sunday finale, the veteran DH’s 4-RBI day (2-for-5, 2 R) included delivering a key game-tying double in the 4-run top of the 5th – on a 1-out, first-pitch shot to center field. Finally, in the 9th and ahead in the count for a change, Falcone drove a 1-0 pitch over the centerfield fence for a two-run blast and some insurance runs (10–7; 12–7 final).

Falcone had a breakout sophomore season in 2013 – batting .331 with five home runs while earning ABCA second team all-Northeast Region honors. He slumped in 2014, after not playing 2013 summer ball – but the senior DH could be back to his stellar form, after a strong 2014 summer playing for the league champion Monmouth Monarchs of the wood-bat ABCCL (.330, 23 RBI). He has helped the Lions win the Ivy League title and advance to the NCAAs during each of the past two seasons.

Following his prep career at Bolton High School, Falcone opted to enter the military and ultimately served for six years, including three tours in the Middle East as a combat medic (Corpsman) in the USMC Infantry. His father Peter Falcone enjoyed a 10-year Major League career (’75-’84), as a lefthanded pitcher with the Giants, Cardinals, Mets and Braves.

CLICK HERE for an in-depth 2013 feature story on Joey Falcone.

Freshman Chris Mathewson – who grew up 25 miles east of Long Beach, Calif. – tossed seven strong innings to front the first no-hitter in Long Beach State history, versus potential NCAA Tournament team Wichita State.

… MATHEWSON – whose name coincidentally is similar to that of (inaugural class) Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson (some quick notes on that baseball legend, who played college baseball at Bucknell, are included below) – potentially could emerge as the ace of the Long Beach staff, but his early-season work has been limited due to undergoing knee surgery in January. In the 4–0 series finale versus a quality Wichita State team, Mathewson struck out eight, did not allow a runner past first base, yielded only four balls out of the infield, and walked only one (plus two hit batters), before handing things off to fellow freshman RHP Darren McCaughan.

Due to his return from surgery, Mathewson was limited to a mid-80s pitch count but nonetheless laid the foundation for the historic no-hitter – amazing a first in the storied history of Long Beach State baseball. Past LBSU pitchers have included the likes of Jered Weaver, Jason Vargas and Cesar Ramos – who all pitched together, how about that rotation – along with other former Dirtbags pitching greats such as Steve Trachsel, Vance Worley, Brian Shaw, Abe Alvarez and Marco Estrada.

Wichita State entered the series at Long Beach State with a .308 team batting average and nearly 11 hits per game, after playing series against legitimate opposition – at Sam Houston State (2014 NCAA tournament team and 2015 Southland Conf. favorites) and at home against a Texas State team that is expected to push preseason favorite Louisiana-Lafayette in the Sun Belt this season. Wichita State is considered by many outlets to be a potential 2015 NCAA Tournament team and is projected to challenge Dallas Baptist for the Missouri Valley Conference title.

Mathewson retired the first 11 batters he faced and set down six straight to cap his outing. McCaughan then closed the no-hitter with a pair of 1-2-3 innings, consisting of three strikeouts and three groundball outs. Wichita State sent only 28 batters to the the plate (one over the minimum), with two midgame runners erased on the bases. Mathewson kept the ball low in the zone, producing 17 of his 21 outs that stayed in the infield: eight Ks, four groundball outs and three infield popups/foulouts (plus the pair of runners thrown out).

Chris Matheson embraces catcher Eric Hutting, after the first no-hitter in Long Beach State baseball history (4–0 vs. Wichita State).

After striking out the side in the 3rd, Mathewson hit Ryan Tinkham with a 2-out pitch in the 4th – but that was the extent of the damage, as the next batter flew out to right. Then, in the fifth, the rookie pitcher plunked Daniel Kihle to lead off the inning – but catcher Eric Hutting gunned down the runner when the ensuing breaking ball was in the dirt (a potential wild pitch that became a 2–6 putout).

Later in the top of the 5th, Tanner Kirk drew the only walk of the game (by either team) – but Hutting again erased the threat, this time on a straight caught stealing (2-to-4). Mathewson and McCaughan then combined to retire the final 12 Wichita State batters.

The Shockers best chance at a hit came in the 4th, when Michael Mucha’s gapper to left-center had a chance – but centerfielder Joey Sanchez executed the diving catch, an “asterisk-worthy” play as things would turn out.

Mathewson played his pre-college ball at Kaiser High School, in Fontana, about 25 miles east of Long Beach. CalHi Sports tabbed him its 2014 player of the year for “medium-sized” schools. Also a 2014 second team All-American (per MaxPreps), the 6-1, 190-pound Mathewson was a two-way player at Kaiser, with his senior season including a 0.79 ERA, 9–2 record and 105 strikeouts in 62 innings (also hitting .511 with 33 RBI) – after a 0.95, 9–0, 114–K junior season.

Despite Mathewson’s firm commitment to Long Beach State, the Texas Rangers took a chance by selecting the Fontana product in the 28th round of the 2014 MLB Draft.

Christy Mathewson – one of five inaugural members of the Baseball Hall of Fame – was a baseball and football player at Bucknell University, in the late 1800s.

Side Note: Inaugural Hall of Fame class member Christy Mathewson played both baseball and football at Bucknell University, in the final years of the 19th century. He went on to rack up 363 career wins, primarily with the New York Giants from 1900–16. A native of Factoryville, Pa., Mathewson was accidentally exposed to chemical weapons while serving in the Army’s Chemical Warfare Service during World War I (that exposure likely led to him contracting tuberculosis and dying in 1925, at the age of 45). A devout Christian, Mathewson never played sports on Sunday. He was extremely well-liked throughout baseball and noted for both his intellect and great sportsmanship, in addition to writing various newspaper columns and books later in his career. During his own legendary career, manager John McGraw trusted only one player as a de-facto player-coach/mentor for the younger members of the team: Mathewson. The other four inductees from the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1936: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner.

… As a reminder, the CB360 Primetime Performers often are a departure from most conference and national weekly awards – with an emphasis placed on quality of opponent, contribution to team success, significance of results, consistency of play, etc. Position players are evaluated not solely based on batting avg., home runs and RBI, but also for absence of costly negative stats such as strikeouts and errors. For starting pitchers, extenuating circumstances (such as first career start, quality of the opposing starter, etc.) can play a role in selection to the Primetime Performers.

Ideally, the members of the Primetime Performers Honor Roll all have played a role in games that likely will have a significant impact on determining the 2015 NCAA tournament field – i.e key results, for notable teams.

CB360 Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed at a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s success and potential postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual); any other extenuating circumstances that make the individual’s accomplishments more noteworthy.
• Any performance that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #3 (2015)
(for Week of Feb. 23 – March 1, 2015 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
                    “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

BRANDON CUDDY  (Oregon … 1B … Jr. … Tulsa, OK … 6-2/215 … bats: L … 5-hole/cleanup … #32)
LOU DISTASIO  (Rhode Island … RHP … So. … Yarmouth, ME … 6-3/195 … #16)
JOSH ESTILL  (CS Fullerton .. 1B .. So. .. Carlsbad, CA .. 5-10/210 .. bats: R .. 5-hole/cleanup .. #38)
*JOEY FALCONE  (Columbia … DH … Sr. … Brooklyn, NY … 6-5/225 … bats: L … 8-/7-hole … #16)
ANFERNEE GRIER  (Auburn … CF … So. … Phenix City, AL … 5-11/165 … bats: R … leadoff … #10)

BLAKE HEADLEY  (Nebraska … 3B … Sr. … Omaha, NE … 6-2/220 … bats: L … cleanup … #22)
ALEX HERMELING  (Louisiana-Monroe … RHP … Sr./Jr. … Northbrook, IL … 6-5/230 … #16)
DAVID HILL  (San Diego … RHP … Jr. … Orange, CA … 6-3/205 … #17)
HARRISON HUKARI  (UCF … LHP … Jr. … St. Petersburg, FL … 6-6/245 … #33)
JUSTIN JACOME  (UC Santa Barbara … LHP … Jr. … Redlands, CA … 6-6/230 … #44)
ANTHONY KAY  (Connecticut … LHP … So. … Stony Brook, NY … 6-0/185 … #18)
GUNNER LEGER  (Louisiana-Lafayatte … LHP … Fr. … Lake Charles, LA … 6-3/190 … #28)
*CHRIS MATHEWSON  (Long Beach State … RHP … Fr. … Fontana, CA … 6-1/190 … #27)
JASON RICHMAN  (Georgia Southern … LHP … So. … Alpharetta, GA … 6-3/210 … #22)
DANNY SHEEHAN  (San Diego State … SS … Jr. … Covina, CA … 6-0/180 … bats: R … 2-hole … #8)
TAYLOR WARD  (Fresno State … C … Jr. … Oviedo, FL … 6-1/190 … bats: R … 3-hole … #9)
* Falcone is the CB360 National Primetime Player and Mathewson the Primetime Pitcher of the Week.

All photos are courtesy of the respective schools.

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BRANDON CUDDY
Oregon … 1B … Jr. … Tulsa, OK
6-2/215 … bats: L … 5-hole/cleanup … #32

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LOU DISTASIO
Rhode Island … RHP … So.
Yarmouth, ME … 6-3/195 … #16

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JOSH ESTILL
Cal State Fullerton … 1B … So. … Carlsbad, CA
5-10/210 … bats: R … 5-hole/cleanup … #38

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JOEY FALCONE
Columbia … DH … Sr. … Brooklyn, NY
6-5/225 … bats: L … 8-/7-hole … #16

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ANFERNEE GRIER
Auburn … CF … So. … Phenix City, AL
5-11/165 … bats: R … leadoff … #10

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BLAKE HEADLEY
Nebraska … 3B … Sr. … Omaha, NE
6-2/220 … bats: L … cleanup … #22

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ALEX HERMELING
Louisiana-Monroe … RHP … Sr./Jr.
Northbrook, IL … 6-5/230 … #16

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DAVID HILL
San Diego … RHP … Jr.
Orange, CA … 6-3/205 … #17

note: action photo currently not available

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HARRISON HUKARI
UCF … LHP … Jr.
St. Petersburg, FL … 6-6/245 … #33

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JUSTIN JACOME
UC Santa Barbara … LHP … Jr.
Redlands, CA … 6-6/230 … #44

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ANTHONY KAY
Connecticut … LHP … So.
Stony Brook, NY … 6-0/185 … #18

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GUNNER LEGER
Louisiana-Lafayatte … LHP … Fr.
Lake Charles, LA … 6-3/190 … #28

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CHRIS MATHEWSON
Long Beach State … RHP … Fr.
Fontana, CA … 6-1/190 … #27

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JASON RICHMAN
Georgia Southern … LHP … So.
Alpharetta, GA … 6-3/210 … #22

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DANNY SHEEHAN
San Diego State … SS … Jr. … Covina, CA
6-0/180 … bats: R … 2-hole … #8

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TAYLOR WARD
Fresno State … C … Jr. … Oviedo, FL
6-1/190 … bats: R … 3-hole … #9

After helping lead their respective teams to series wins against top opposition, TCU senior righthander Preston Morrison (Waxhaw, N.C.) and Florida sophomore centerfielder Buddy Reed (Finksburg, Md.) have been honored as the headliners on the CS360 week-2 Primetime Performers Honor Roll. Morrison is the CB360 National Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Reed the Primetime Player of the Week, following their week-2 contributions – with 13 others rounding out the Primetime Performers Honor Roll for Feb. 16–22, 2015.

Preston Morrison
(TCU • RHP • Sr. • Waxhaw, NC)

(Note: headshot and action photos for all 15 honorees are included below, with player information to be added for each of the week-2 Primetime Performers.)

CLICK HERE for the week-1 Primetime Performers

Buddy Reed
(Florida • CF • So. • Finksburg, MD)

In addition to Morrison and Reed, the other week-2 Primetime Performers include: Nevada sr. 3B/1B Austin Byler (Peoria, AZ) … Oklahoma jr. 2B/1B/LF Kolbey Carpenter (TX) … Cal fr. C/DH Brett Cumberland  (Turlock, CA) … Indiana State fifth-year senior LHP Jeff Degano (Surrey, BC) … Houston so. RHP Andrew Lantrip (Livingston, TX) … jr. LHP Ryan Lawlor (Savannah, GA) … UCF fr. 2B/RHP Kyle Marsh (Port Orange, FL) … Missouri jr. RHP Reggie McClain (Duluth, GA) … Grand Canyon jr. SS Paul Panaccione  (Peoria, AZ) … Kent State sr. SS Sawyer Polen (Wooster, OH) … Florida Atlantic jr. LHP Brandon Rhodes (Lake Worth, FL) … Wright State jr. RHP Jesse Scholtens (Fairfield, CA) … and Arkansas State so. RHP Tyler Zuber (White Hall, AR).

MORRISON – who formed a potent 1-2 punch with LHP Brandon Finnegan on TCU’s 2014 College World Series team (Finnegan went on to pitch in the MLB World Series as well, with the K.C. Royals) – sparkled in the series opener versus Arizona State (cb360 #17), fashioning a three-hit shutout as the Frogs won 3–0 in Phoenix. After working around a couple baserunners in the first frame, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander yielded only two hits over the final eight innings.

TCU senior Preston Morrison delivered on the big stage, fashioning a 3-hit shutout versus Arizona State in Phoenix – sparking the Frogs to a quality early-season series win.

Only one of ASU’s four baserunners ventured into scoring position, while Morrison retired 23 of the final 25 batters he faced. He walked only one batter and struck out five, while returning 15 others via groundball outs. The big-game win was the senior’s 27th career victory at TCU, his eighth complete game and – most impressively – his fifth shutout performance.

REED hit .444 (8-for-18) during the four-game week while helping the Gators win the three-game weekend rivalry series versus Miami (cb360 #11). The switch-hitter made key contributions all week from the 2-hole – ranging from four RBI and three runs scored to four stolen bases and even a pair of assists from his spot in center field.

In the tight 4–3 opener against the Hurricanes, Reed hit 3-for-5 with a pair of stolen bases while scoring to tie the game in the 6th inning, in addition to later gunning down Miami’s own potential tying run in the 8th – and finally delivering the single that scored Josh Tobias for the thrilling win. Two days later, in the low-scoring series finale (a 2–1 Gators win), the 6–3, 200-pounder tied the game with a clutch, two-out single to right field in the 3rd inning.

Florida sophomore centerfielder Buddy Reed led the way for the Gators in a rivalry series win over Miami plus a midweek victory over USF, batting 8-for-8 (4 RBI, 3 R) with several clutch hits, plus four stolen bases and even a pair of fielding assists.

Prior to batting 5-for-12 in the showdown against Miami, with hits in all three games, Reed went 3-for-6 with a pair of RBI, two runs scored and a couple stolen bases in Florida’s 13–3 win over South Florida. Primarily a starting corner outfielder as a freshman in 2014, Reed has unseeded Harrison Bader as the Gators starter in center field this season. In his pre-college days, Reed was a three-sport standout at St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I. – but not in the usual football–basketball–baseball combination, but rather soccer, hockey and baseball.

… As a reminder, the CB360 Primetime Performers often are a departure from most conference and national weekly awards – with an emphasis placed on quality of opponent, contribution to team success, significance of results, consistency of play, etc. Position players are evaluated not solely based on batting avg., home runs and RBI, but also for absence of costly negative stats such as strikeouts and errors. For starting pitchers, extenuating circumstances (such as first career start, quality of the opposing starter, etc.) can play a role in selection to the Primetime Performers.

Ideally, the members of the Primetime Performers Honor Roll all have played a role in games that likely will have a significant impact on determining the 2015 NCAA tournament field – i.e key results, for notable teams.

The 15 week-2 Primetime Performers include: eight pitchers (three of them LHPs) and a pair of shortstops, plus a catcher, corner infielder, centerfielder and two valuable utility player (one a 2B/RHP and the other a 2B/1B/LF). Six of the honorees are juniors, plus three seniors, three sophomores, a pair of freshmen and a fifth-year senior. The 15 include two each from hometowns in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia and Texas – along with one each from Arkansas, British Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Ohio.

CB360 Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed at a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s success and potential postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual); any other extenuating circumstances that make the individual’s accomplishments more noteworthy.
• Any performance that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (2015; #2)
(for Week-2: Feb. 23–March 1, 2015 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
                      “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

AUSTIN BYLER  (Nevada … 3B/1B … Sr. … Peoria, AZ … 6-3/225 … 3-hole … bats: L … #28)
KOLBEY CARPENTER  (Oklahoma .. 2B/1B/LF .. Jr. .. Waco, TX .. 6-0/175 .. 7-/6-hole .. bats: R .. #23)
BRETT CUMBERLAND  (Cal … C/DH … Fr. .. Turlock, CA .. 5-10/185 .. cleanup/2-hole .. bats: S .. #28)
JEFF DEGANO  (Indiana State … LHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr. … Surrey, BC … 6-4/200 … #26)
ANDREW LANTRIP  (Houston … RHP … So. … Livingston, TX … 6-2/175 … #13)
RYAN LAWLOR  (Georgia … LHP … Jr. … Savannah, GA … 6-1/180 … #18)
KYLE MARSH  (UCF … 2B/RHP … Fr. … Port Orange, FL … 6-0/190 … 7-/2-hole … bats: R … #22)
REGGIE McCLAIN  (Missouri … RHP … Jr. … Duluth, GA … 6-2/195 … #24)
*PRESTON MORRISON  (TCU … RHP … Sr. … Waxhaw, NC … 6-2/185 … #18)
PAUL PANACCIONE  (Grand Canyon … SS … Jr. … Peoria, AZ … 5-10/190 … 2-hole … bats: R … #3)
SAWYER POLEN  (Kent State … SS … Sr. … Wooster, OH … 6-0/180 … 3-hole … bats: R … #14)
*BUDDY REED  (Florida … CF … So. … Finksburg, MD … 6-3/200 … 2-hole … bats: switch … #23)
BRANDON RHODES  (Florida Atlantic … LHP … Jr. … Lake Worth, FL … #28)
JESSE SCHOLTENS  (Wright State … RHP … Jr. … Fairfield, CA … 6-4/225 … #39)
TYLER ZUBER  (Arkansas State … RHP … So. … White Hall, AR … 5-10/185 … #36)
* Morrison is the CB360 National Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Reed the Primetime Player of the Week

All photos are courtesy of the respective schools.

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AUSTIN BYLER
Nevada … 3B/1B … Sr. Peoria, AZ … 6-3/225
3-hole … bats: L … #28

Key player in Nevada’s 7–0 record over the first two weeks of the 2015 season – the best start in program history … lefthanded power hitter who batted .400 during four-win week that included victory at Texas Tech (cb360 #9) and home series sweep of [50] Fresno State … launched a pair of home runs during the week while scoring seven times and driving in four runs … reached base 15 times during the week (4-for-10 with eight bases on balls and three HBPs) … hit 2-for-4 with a solo home run and another run scored in the 8–4 win at Texas Tech (the Raiders only loss so far in 2015) … his second home run of the week ended the 9–8 series opener vs. Fresno, in the 10th inning (he also walked and scored three times earlier in that game) … compiled a .733 on-base pct. during the Fresno series, with 10 total free passes during those three games (seven walks and three times hit-by-pitch) … returned for his senior season, after being selected by the Washington Nationals in the 9th round of the 2014 MLB draft … four-year starter who hit .326 with a league-leading 14 home runs in 2014, en route to earning first team All-Mountain West Conference honors (also ABCA West Region second team) … hit .346 with 8 HR in 2013 … Arizona product from Sunrise Mountain High School.

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KOLBEY CARPENTER
Oklahoma … 2B/1B/LF
Jr. … Waco, TX
6-0/175 … 7-/6-hole
bats: R … #23

Provided the power for Oklahoma during bust week in Arizona, playing five games against various Pac-12 teams … hit 8-for-17 with three home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored during that stretch, highlighted by wins over Washington (cb360 #47), [38] Oregon State and Utah, plus a loss versus host [17] Arizona State … filled in wherever needed defensively (first base, second and left field) during the busy week … slugged nearly 1.200 during the week, with his five extra-base hits also including a triple and a double (five of his eight hits carried him beyond first base) … launched 3-run HR in 4th inning to spark 10–1 win over Washington, adding a two-run triple and run scored the next day (also in Surprise, Ariz.) during 9–6 win over Oregon State … closed the week with early game-tying blast against Utah and go-ahead, two-run shot versus the Utes (4–3 final) … collected hits and factored into at least one run in all five games, including 2-for-4 with a run and double in 7–4 loss to ASU  (also 2-for-4 with an RBI in 4–3 loss vs. Washington State) … reached base 11 total times during the week, with a pair of walks (three runs scored) vs. Washington and one against Utah … entering his first season as a regular starting, after batting .300 in 26 games played during 2014 … Texas product from West High School.

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BRETT CUMBERLAND
California … C/DH … Fr.
Turlock, CA … 5-10/185
cleanup/2-hole
bats: switch … #28

Switch-hitting newcomer who has made quick transition to the collegiate game and could emerge as a key factor for Bears surpassing expectations in 2015 (Cal was picked to finish 8th in the Pac-12) … hit 7-for-15 during the week while batting near the top of the lineup (cleanup or 2-hole), as Bears went 4–1 with Monday rivalry victory at Stanford followed by 4-game series vs. UC Irvine (which returns several top players from its 2014 CWS squad) … five of his seven hits during the week went for extra bases, with three home runs and a pair of doubles … drove in nearly one-third of the teams runs (10 of 33) during the productive week … introduced himself to the Cal-Stanford rivalry in stunning fashion, launching a grand slam in his first at-bat and adding a 3-run blast in the 4th to fuel that 11–1 win at Sunken Diamond … his top effort in the UC Irvine series included batting 2-for-4 with two RBI, a double and a home run in the game-2 win (10–3) … Central California product, from  Turlock High School.

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JEFF DEGANO
Indiana State … LHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr.
Surrey, BC … 6-4/200 … #26

Veteran pitcher who has returned from reconstructive elbow surgery in fine fashion, highlighted by win over top-ranked Vanderbilt to square that series in Port Charlotte, Fla., 8–1 … scattered six hits and did not walk a batter while limiting the defending CWS champions to a single run over 7.0 innings, with five strikeouts – as the Sycamores beat a No. 1 team for the first time in program history … did not allow a baserunner after the third inning … can petition for a sixth year of eligibility in 2016, after utilizing redshirt season in 2014 and missing most of 2013 due to arm injury … Canadian product (Fraser Heights Secondary School) who spent his first two seasons of college baseball at Marshalltown Community College in Iowa.  note: action photo currently not available

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ANDREW LANTRIP
Houston … RHP … So.
Livingston, TX
6-2/175 … #13

Rose to the occasion as game-1 starter in series versus Alabama (cb360 #29), logging 7.0 strong innings as the Cougars went on to win 3–1 and ultimately take the series … worked around seven hits by limiting the damage with only one walk, countered by five strikeouts in an outing that saw him locate 72% of his pitches for strikes (66 of 92) … kept his team in the game, with the decisive three runs coming in the bottom of the 6th … earned 2014 Freshman All-America honors after going 6–0 with a 1.87 ERA in 43.1 innings (33 Ks, 7 BB) for Houston team that won 48 games and reached the NCAA Super Regional round … in-state product from Livingston High School.

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RYAN LAWLOR
Georgia … LHP … Jr.
Savannah, GA
6-1/180 … #18

Racked up 10 strikeouts in six strong innings against Florida State (cb360 #16), picking up the game-2 victory in 4–1 win that sparked doubleheader sweep to take the series … did not allow a baserunner into scoring position until the 5th inning, when FSU scored its lone run … limited potent Seminoles offense to four hits (three of them singles, one a bunt) and only two free passes, on a walk and hit batter … served as UGa’s Friday-night starter during 2014 SEC games, finishing with a 4–6 season record while often matching up against the opponent’s ace … spent his first season of college baseball at NAIA Middle Georgia (2013) … in-state product who earned honorable mention All-America honors at Calvary Day School.

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KYLE MARSH
UCF … 2B/RHP … Fr.
Port Orange, FL
6-0/190 … 7-/2-hole
bats: R … #22

Starting second baseman and relief pitcher for UCF team that ended week-2 as one of only seven unbeaten/untied teams in all of Division I baseball – highlighted by wins over Maryland (cb360 #20) and [25] Arkansas (both at South Alabama) … racked up eight RBI during 4–0 week, while batting .385 with a home run and double, in addition to logging a pair of scoreless relief outings … reached base 11 times during the week, with six bases on balls … drove in two runs from the 7-hole in 9–5 win over Arkansas, while reaching base four times (double and three walks) … helped edge the Terps the next day, 7–6, with a walk and run scored while retiring the final two batters to pick up the save … closed the tournament with three RBI (2-for-5) in 7–5 win over the host Jaguars … during 10–2 midweek win over MEAC favorite Bethune-Cookman, went 2-for-3, walked twice, factored into four of UCF’s runs (3 RBI, 2 R, HR) and logged a shutout inning with a strikeout … southern Florida product from Spruce Creek High School.

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REGGIE McCLAIN
Missouri … RHP … Jr.
Duluth, GA … 6-2/195 … #24

Junior college transfer who has burst onto the Division I scene, opening the 2015 season with back-to-back SEC Pitcher of the Week honors that encompassed 17 total shutout innings, with only seven baserunners allowed (all singles, with no walks and 14 Ks) in those two starts … has faced only 54 batters (three over the minimum) to start his DI career … after week-1 win in 1–0 pitchers duel vs. Iona (8.0 innings; 3 H, 10 Ks), went the distance in 4-hit shutout of potent Sam Houston State (cb360 #46) – with the Tigers winning 2–0 on a 9th-inning home run (at Whataburger Field, in Corpus Christi) … ultimately out dueled ace Andrew Godail, a top returner from SHSU’s 2014 NCAA Tournament team … cruised through the first four innings, against Bearkats offense that had been averaging seven runs a game … allowed only two SHSU baserunners to reach second base (via a sac. bunt and stolen base) … pitched around a 2nd-inning error, a 4th-inning stolen base and a 2-out hit in the 5th … retired the final eight Bearkats he faced, en route to posting Missouri’s first solo shutout since eventual MLB 2nd-rounder Rob Zastryzny did it in 2013 … honed his craft playing in one of the nation’s top JC conferences, at Manatee Community College, in Bradenton, Fla.   note: action photo currently not available

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PRESTON MORRISON 
TCU … RHP … Sr.
Waxhaw, NC
6-2/185 … #18

  – CB360 National Primetime Pitcher of the Week –

Veteran leader of TCU staff, after forming a potent 1-2 punch with LHP Brandon Finnegan on TCU’s 2014 College World Series team (Finnegan went on to pitch in the MLB World Series as well, with the K.C. Royals) … sparkled in the series opener versus Arizona State (cb360 #17), fashioning a three-hit shutout as the Frogs won 3–0 in Phoenix … worked around a couple baserunners in the first frame before yielding only two hits over the final eight innings … only one of ASU’s four baserunners ventured into scoring position, while Morrison retired 23 of the final 25 batters he faced … walked only one batter and struck out five, while returning 15 others via groundball outs … the big-game win was the senior’s 27th career victory at TCU, his eighth complete game and – most impressively – his fifth shutout performance.

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PAUL PANACCIONE
Grand Canyon … SS … Jr.
Peoria, AZ … 5-10/190
2-hole … bats: R … #3

Hit nearly .500 (8-for-17) during unbeaten week, as Lopes – embarking on their second Division I season – posted four wins over cb360 top-50 teams: 7–0 at [40] UNLV and a series sweep at [37] Cal Poly (10–4, 4–2, 9–3), with the Mustangs featuring several top returners from their historic 2014 team … reached base 11 times during the week (2 BB, HBP) while factoring into 14 of GCU’s runs (7 RBI, 8 R, HR) … played lead role in the shutout win at UNLV, highlighted by two-run blast for first home run of his college career (2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 R, HBP) … reached four times in opener at Cal Poly (3-for-4, BB) and factored into half of the team’s 10 runs (3 RBI, 2 R) … also hit safely in gm-2 before closing the week batting 2-for-5 in the series finale (RBI, 2 R) … second-year starter who swiped 20 stolen bases in 2014 … started his college career playing for GCU on the Division II level … the Lopes are expected to challenge Sacramento State for the 2015 WAC regular-season title, but – as a DI transitional team – GCU will not be eligible for any postseason play until 2018 … in-state product from Liberty High School.

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SAWYER POLEN
Kent State … SS … Sr.
Wooster, OH … 6-0/180
3-hole … bats: R … #14

One of the few remaining regulars from Kent State’s 2012 College World Series team, looking to help the Flashes contend for the 2015 MAC title and take another crack at reaching the CWS … nearly led team to series win at Baylor (cb360 #43), after the Bears could find few answers in keeping him off the basepaths during that three-game series … his .813 series on-base pct. – all the more noteworthy when considering that nine Kent State players had to miss the doubleheader due to illness – included batting 6-for-9 with six walks and a 13th time on base via a hit-by-pitch … reached base five times (2-for-3, 3 BB, RBI, 2 R) in 11–3 series-opening victory … opened Saturday doubeheader with four more times on base (3-for-4, BB) in 6–1 loss … his five times on base in the series finale (1-for-2, 2 BB, HBP) ignited a comeback and he appeared to score the series-winning run in the top of the 10th, but Baylor rallied for the 4–3 final … also played error-free at shortstop throughout the series … four-year starter who hit .312 as a sophomore in 2013 … collected three hits in there games at the 2012 CWS … in-state product from Triway High School.

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BUDDY REED 
Florida … CF … So.  Finksburg, MD
6-3/200 … 2-hole
bats: switch … #23

     – CB360 National Primetime Player of the Week –

Switch hitter who batted at a .444 clip (8-for-18) during four-game week while helping the Gators win the three-game weekend rivalry series versus Miami (cb360 #11) … made key contributions all week from the 2-hole – ranging from four RBI and three runs scored to four stolen bases and even a pair of assists from his spot in center field … in tight 4–3 opener against the Hurricanes, hit 3-for-5 with a pair of stolen bases while scoring to tie the game in the 6th inning, in addition to later gunning down Miami’s own potential tying run in the 8th – and finally delivering the single that scored Josh Tobias for the thrilling win … two days later, in the low-scoring series finale (a 2–1 Gators win), he tied the game with a clutch, two-out single to right field in the 3rd inning … prior to batting 5-for-12 in the showdown against Miami, with hits in all three games, went 3-for-6 with a pair of RBI, two runs scored and a couple stolen bases in 13–3 win over South Florida … primarily a starting corner outfielder as a freshman in 2014 but has unseeded Harrison Bader as the Gators starter in center field this season … was a three-sport standout at St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I. – but not in the usual football–basketball–baseball combination, but rather soccer, hockey and baseball.

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BRANDON RHODES 
Florida Atlantic … LHP … Jr.
Lake Worth, FL … #28

Took 2–0 career record versus Miami into early-season game vs. the Hurricanes and delivered another quality outing, with this six shutout innings setting the stage for FAU’s 5–3 comeback victory over the ‘Canes (cb360 #11) … worked around jams in the first two innings, ultimately registering 13 of his 18 outs via strikeouts (4), groundballs (7), foulouts (1) or infield popups (1) … overcame a teammate’s 1st-inning error to leave the bases loaded (ending with an infield popup) and then worked around a couple two-out singles in the 2nd … kept Miami from crossing home plate, while scattering five hits, three walks and a hit batter over the 6.0 innings … logged 41.1 innings over 17 appearances in 2014, after making seven starts among 13 appearances in 2013 … south Florida product from Park Vista High School.

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JESSE SCHOLTENS
Wright State … RHP … Jr.
Fairfield, CA … 6-4/225 … #39

Transer additon who could play lead role for the Horizon League favorites … picked up win in 3–1 game at Ole Miss (cb360 #28), allowing only an unearned run on six hits, two walks and a hit batter over 6.0 innings, with four strikeouts … 15 of his 18 outs came via Ks (4), groundballs (8), infield lineups/popups (2) or runner thrown out on the bases (1) … kept his team within striking distance, setting up the decisive three-run sequence in the top of the 7th … in his first two starts with the Raiders, has compiled a 0.69 ERA with 13 Ks in 13 innings … started his career at the University in 2012, making three brief relief appearances, before playing the next two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College … California product from Rodriguez High School.      note: action photo currently not available

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TYLER ZUBER 
Arkansas State … RHP
So. … White Hall, AR
5-10/185 … #36

First-year starter who sparkled in near-complete game against Louisville (cb360 top-50), logging eight shutout innings as Red Wolves posted 4–1 win to clinch series (in Emerson, Ga.) … limited the damage by facing only 29 batters (five over the minimum), allowing two singles, a pair of walks and two hit batters while striking out three in the 92-pitch outing … kept 14 of his 18 outs in the infield, with five groundouts, four infield popups and a double play via an infield lineout (plus the three Ks) … made 24 appearances, all in relief, as a freshman in 2014 … in-state product from White Hall High School.

Two players who were on the west coast for Opening Week of the 2015 college baseball season – Fresno State junior centerfielder Brody Russell and Tulane junior righthanded pitcher/DH Tim Yandel – highlight the CB360 week-1 Primetime Performers Honor Roll. Russell is the CB360 National Primetime Player of the Week and Yandel the Primetime Pitcher of the Week, following their week-1 exploits – with an assortment of 12 other players from around the country rounding out the Primetime Performers Honor Roll for Feb. 13–15, 2015.

CLICK HERE for complete Opening Week results summary from teams in the CB360 top-50 Composite National Rankings.

Brody Russell (Fresno St. • CF • Jr.) CB360 Primetime Player of the Week

(Note: photos and player info. have been added below to this release for all of the week-1 Primetime Performers.)

Tim Yandel (Tulane • RHP/DH • Jr.) CB360 Primetime Pitcher of the Week

Opening Week of any college baseball season always produces its share of impressive performances. During the first few days of the 2015 season, only a handful of the nation’s top teams opened vs. nationally-ranked opponents, yielding some of the notable week-1 players. Individuals from various other teams also stepped up during Opening Week, while doing battle against quality opposition.

In addition to Russell and Yandel, the other week-1 Primetime Performers include: Sam Houston State jr. LHP Logan Boyd (Humble, TX) … Baylor sr. CF Logan Brown (Rowlett, TX) … West Virginia so. RHP Chad Donato (Cypress, TX) … Indiana jr. RHP Scott Effross (Twinsburg, OH) … Forehead State sr. RHP Aaron Goe (Dry Ridge, KY) … UTSA jr. CF Kevin Markham (Willis, TX) … FIU so. RHP Chris Mourelle (Miami, FL) … Alabama State sr. 3B/2B Einar Muniz (Tampa, FL) … UNLV so. RHP D.J. Myers  (Henderson, NV) … Rice fifth-year sr. LF/DH Kirby Taylor (Bellaire, TX) … Santa Clara jr. SS Jose Vizcaino, Jr. (La Jolla, CA) … and Arizona State so. SS Colby Woodmansee (Phoenix, AZ).

Fresno State junior centerfielder BRODY RUSSELL delivered both quantity and quality during the Opening Week sweep of UC Irine, batting 7-for-12 (5 RBI, 3 R, HR) while delivering several key late-inning hits throughout the series.

RUSSELL (Bakersfield, Calif.) delivered both quantity and quality when it came to his offensive production during Fresno State’s Opening Week series sweep (5–4, 7–5, 7–5) vs. UC Irvine, the #41 team in the CB360 preseason Composite National Rankings. The Bulldogs won three straight tight finishes, versus a team that still includes several key players from the UCI squad that reached the 2014 College World.

In addition to hitting .583 (7-for-12) against the Anteaters, Russell also reached via a walk, while factoring into seven of the team’s runs (5 RBI, 3 runs, home run). The lanky 6-foot-2, 185-point right-handed hitter added another productive plate appearance with a sacrifice bunt from his 2-hole spot in the lineup. Russell’s game-1 contributions (3–3; RBI, R, BB, sac) included the leadoff, 9th-inning single that sparked the winning rally. The next day, he singled home the tying run in the 7th and scored the go-ahead tally moments later on Taylor Ward’s triple. Russell closed the weekend by batting 3-for-5 in the series finale – including an RBI single that sparked a 2-out rally in the 7th, cutting UCI’s lead to 5–1, before launching a two-run blast in the 8th for a 6–5 Bulldogs lead.

Tulane junior two-way talent TIM YANDEL launched the first home run of his career early in the series at Pepperdine and logged 6.1 shutout, no-hit innings in the series finale (his first career start) – as the Green Wave nearly completed the Opening Week series sweep.

YANDEL (Woodstock, Ga.) displayed his two-way talent in Tulane’s series win at Pepperdine (cb360 #45) – highlighted by hitting his first career home run and logging 6.1 shutout, no-hit innings in his first career collegiate start. The Green Wave nearly swept a Pepperdine team that returns several top players from the squad that was three outs from reaching the 2014 College World Series.

Despite having pitched a total of only 18 innings (all in relief) during his fist two seasons,Yandel took the ball with confidence as the game-3 starter at Pepperdine, holding the host team without a run or hit while pitching into the 7th (Pepperdine rallied in the 9th for a 2–1 win that spoiled his outing). The 6-1, 190-pound righthander also issued only two walks (plus a hit batter) while striking out five. Yandel impressively allowed only two balls out of the infield throughout his 6.1 innings and likely could have pitched even deeper into the game, but his pitch count was extended by three errors from the defense behind him.

In the earlier series-opening, 9–3 win, Yandel pulled a two-run home run to left field as part of a six-run bottom of the 6th that yielded a 6–2 lead. The Green Wave DH also drew a key walk in game-2 (a 9–5 win), as Tulane scored four in the 8th (followed by five in the 9th) to stunningly clinch the series

… As a reminder, the CB360 Primetime Performers often are a departure from most conference and national weekly awards – with an emphasis placed on quality of opponent, contribution to team success, significance of results, consistency of play, etc. Position players are evaluated not solely based on batting avg., home runs and RBI, but also for absence of costly negative stats such as strikeouts and errors. For starting pitchers, extenuating circumstances (such as first career start, quality of the opposing starter, etc.) can play a role in selection to the Primetime Performers.

Ideally, the members of the Primetime Performers Honor Roll all have played a role in games that likely will have a significant impact on determining the 2015 NCAA tournament field – i.e key results, for notable teams.

The 14 week-1 Primetime Performers include: seven pitchers (one LHP, and one a two-way player), plus three centerfielders, a couple shortstops, a leftfielder and a 3B/2B. Six of the honorees are juniors, plus four sophomores, three seniors and a fifth-year senior. The Lone Star State is well-represented among this group, which includes five who hail from Texas hometowns – plus two each from California and Florida, along with one each from Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada and Ohio.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (2015; #1)
(for Opening Week: Feb. 13–15, 2015 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
             “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Logan Boyd  (Sam Houston State … LHP … Jr. … 6-2/200 … Humble, TX … #39)
Logan Brown  (Baylor … CF … Sr. … 5-10/185 … Rowlett, TX … 2-hole … bats: R … #16)
Chad Donato  (West Virginia … RHP … So. … 6-0/180 … Cypress, TX … #2)
Scott Effross (Indiana … RHP … Jr. … 6-2/195 … Twinsburg, OH … #37)
Aaron Goe  (Morehead State … RHP … Sr./Jr. … 6-5/195 … Dry Ridge, KY … #13)
Kevin Markham  (Texas-San Antonio … CF … Jr. … 6-0/195 … Willis, TX … leadoff … bats: L … #1)
Chris Mourelle  (Florida International … RHP … So. … 6-1/180 … Miami, FL … #26)
Einar Muniz  (Alabama State … 3B/2B … Sr. … 5-5/165 … Tampa, FL … 2-hole … bats: R … #10)
D.J. Myers  (UNLV … RHP … So. … 6-5/260 … Henderson, NV … #40)
*Brody Russell  (Fresno State … CF … Jr. … 6-2/185 … Bakersfield, CA … 2-hole … bats: R … #7)
Kirby Taylor  (Rice … LF/DH … 5th-Yr. Sr. … 6-0/185 … Bellaire, TX … 8-/5-hole … bats: R … #12)
Jose Vizcaino, Jr.  (Santa Clara … SS … Jr. … 6-3/220 … La Jolla, CA … 2-hole … bats: R … #10)
Colby Woodmansee  (Arizona St. … SS … So. … 6-3/195 … Phoenix, AZ … 8-/7-hole … bats: R … #37)
*Tim Yandel  (Tulane … RHP/DH … Jr. … 6-1/190 … Woodstock, GA … 6-hole … bats: R … #5)
* Russell is the CB360 National Primetime Player of the Week and Yandel the Primetime Pitcher of the Week
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All photos courtesy of the respective schools.

LOGAN BOYD
Sam Houston State … LHP … Jr.
6-2/200 … Humble, TX … #39

Racked up nine strikeouts in series-deciding, 9–3 third game vs. Wichita State (cb360 #43) – limiting the Shockers to one run on five hits and no walks over 6.0 innings … after pitching out of early trouble in the 2nd and 3rd innings, retired 10 straight batters … faced only 22 batters (four over the minimum) and totaled 13 of his 18 outs within the infield (9 Ks, 3 groundouts and a caught stealing) … made only three starts in his first two seasons with the Bearkats (plus 27 appearances out of the bullpen), totaling 62 strikeouts in 60 innings spanning the 2013-14 seasons … in-state product from Atascocita High School.

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LOGAN BROWN
Baylor … CF … Sr. … 5-10/185
Rowlett, TX … 2-hole … bats: R … #16

Gold-glove centerfielder who played lead role offensively in sweep of cb360 #28 Cal Poly (8–6, 8–6, 6–0) – reaching base nine times from the 2-hole (hit 4-for-8 with five walks) while factoring into eight of the Bears runs, with six RBI and a pair of runs scored … also had a triple, double and sacrifice bunt during his productive Opening Week … pulled a 2-out/2-run triple down the rightfield line in bottom of the 8th, providing the eventual final margin in season opener (2-for-3, R, BB, SAC) … followed with a 4-RBI day in game-2, after again batting 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of walks … closed the series with two more walks and a run scored in the game-3 shutout … third-year starter and fourth-year regular who earned spot on 2014 /ABCA Division I Gold Glove Team … in-state product from Rowlett High School.

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CHAD DONATO
West Virginia … RHP … So.
6-0/180 … Cypress, TX … #2

Made the first start of his college career in challenging setting, at cb360 #27 Clemson, and responded with strong outing by pitching into the 7th inning, as WVU won 6–1 to take the Opening Week series (2–0, 2–4 in first two games) … did not allow a runner into scoring position until the 7th inning, departing after a pair of singles (the lone Clemson run scored moments later) … scattered seven hits and only one walk, with five strikeouts … made four short relief appearances as a freshman in 2014, totaling only 3.1 innings … yet another Texas product (from Cypress Woods HS) among the week-1 Primetime Performers.

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SCOTT EFFROSS
Indiana … RHP … Jr.
6-2/195 … Twinsburg, OH … #37

Rose to the Opening Day challenge at Stanford (cb360 #22), making only the second start of his college career while being opposed by Cardinal ace Cal Quantrill … his game-1 victory helped spark the Hoosiers to a series win (4–2, 4–3, 3–4), as IU overcame the challenge of replacing departed head coach Tracy Smith (now at Arizona State) and four All-Americans, among them No. 1 starter Joey DeNato, who totaled nearly 40 wins (37) and 300 strikeouts (297) during his Hoosiers career … did not walk a Stanford batter while allowing only one run on five hits, with three Ks in six full innings … ended each of the first five innings with a strikeout, helping squelch some early Stanford scoring threats … has compiled a 2.19 career ERA, 12–4 record and 10 saves in 61 appearances (59 of them in relief) … a Cape Cod League all-star while pitching for the Wareham Gatemen during the summer of 2015 … made an IU-record 32 appearances during his sophomore season in 2014 (1.98; 5 saves) … his 2013 honors included Freshman All-America and second team All-Big Ten (2.44; 6-1; 5 saves) – as member of history-making IU team that reached the College World Series … Midwest product from Twinsburg (Ohio) High School.

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AARON GOE
Morehead State … RHP … Sr./Jr.
6-5/195 … Dry Ridge, KY … #13

Made his first appearance in nearly two years and responded with 6.2 strong innings, limiting perennial West Coast Conference title contender San Diego (cb360 #48) to one run, in 10–3 opener … that inspirational return sparked his Morehead teammates, who went on to win the four-game series in a near-sweep (10-3, 8-5, 4-2, 5-6) … had not pitched for Morehead since Feb. 23, 2013 (due to a nagging arm ailment), but ended that two-year layoff with an impressive 91-pitch outing while facing only 22 batters (four over the minimum) and allowing just five baserunners (four singles, one double, no walks) … his three strikeouts included two in a 1–2–3 bottom of the 4th … retired the first eight batters he faced, before a 2-out double and RBI single in the 3rd – but he alertly gunned down Kyle Holder trying to take second as the run was scoring … allowed only two baserunners into scoring position (just one inning with multiple baserunners) … recovered from leadoff singles in the 5th and 6th with three straight outs … made two early appearances in 2013 prior to the injury, after 16 games pitched (15 starts) as a freshman in 2012, with team-best six wins … all-state product from Grant County High School.

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KEVIN MARKHAM
Texas-San Antonio … CF … Jr. … 6-0/195
Willis, TX … leadoff … bats: L … #1

Transfer newcomer who made immediate impact at the Division I level, as a prototypical lefthanded-hitting, leadoff centerfielder … led UTSA to series win (11–5, 2–8, 8–5) vs. cb360 #44 Louisiana-Lafayette team that still boasts several key pieces from its 2014 team that nearly reached the College World Series … team’s top hitter vs. the Cajuns with .455 batting (5-for-11) – including 1st-inning leadoff home runs in both the series opener and the finale … also paced the Roadrunners with six runs scored in the series while reaching base eight total times, thanks to a pair of walks and one time hit-by-pitch … his first DI at-bat was a memorable one, leading off the bottom of the 1st in the series opener by pulling a Chris Carpenter 0–2 pitch over the fence in right-center … came to play in game-2, batting 3-for-4 and scoring a run (the rest of the UTSA offense hit only 4-for-29) … reached base four times in the series finale – and scored on all of them, after batting 1-for-2 with the two walks and HBP … reprised his bottom of the 1st leadoff home run in game-3, working ahead in the count before deposting a Greg Milborn 3-1 pitch over the right field fence … in-state product from North Central Junior College and Willis High School … his uncle Thomas Mileski – who also starred at Willis (and San Jacinto JC) – played in the Texas Rangers organization during the late 1980s.

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CHRIS MOURELLE 
Florida International … RHP … So.
6-1/180 … Miami, FL … #26

Second-year starter who is looking to compile another strong season, after earning 2014 Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors … delivered five strong innings (in a planned 75-pitch count) to front a four-pitcher shared shutout, as FIU knocked off Tennessee (cb360 #30) in the decisive third game of that Opening Week series (4–3, 2–9, 3–0) … effective keeping the ball down in the zone, with 12 of his 15 outs staying in the infield (three strikeouts and nine groundouts) … faced only three batters over the minimum, after allowing only one hit and a pair of walks … retired the first 11 he faced, before yielding a 2-out, full-count walk in the 4th (a 1-out double in the 5th produced the Vols only runner in scoring position during his five innings) … newcomers Ian Exposito, Gianni Mayas and Danny Dopico completed the series-winning shutout … his impressive freshman season in 2014 included a 1.95 ERA and 9–3 record in 12 starts (15 appearances, 37 Ks, 11 BB in 78.1 innings) … played during the summer of 2013 with the elite Midland Redskins club team (based in Batavia, Ohio) … local product from Southwest Miami High School.

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EINAR MUNIZ
Alabama State … 3B/2B … Sr. … 5-5/165
Tampa, FL … 2-hole … bats: R … #10

Veteran infielder who packs plenty of talent into his 5-foot-5 frame, most recently during action in Clearwater, Fla., against three top opponents … hit at a .545 clip (5-for-11) during Opening Week – highlighted by playing a lead role in the Hornets 3–2 win over Cal State Fullerton (cb360 #16) … his totals for the week also included two RBI, a pair of runs scored, two doubles and a stolen base (plus only one strikeout in 12 total plate appearances vs. quality pitching) … also played error-free in 13 fielding chances (including eight assists), while playing at both third and second base … collected hits in all three games – including the only hit allowed by Louisville All-American Kyle Funhouser in his dominating seven innings (the Cardinals, cb360 #10, won 5–1) … jumped all over a first-pitch offering from Funkhouser and singled into left field during the first inning … sparked Hornets to the 3–2 win over Fullerton from his 2-spot in the lineup, batting 3-for-4 with an RBI, run scored and double … his double down the leftfield line helped get things going vs. the Titans in a 3-run top of the 6th, yielding the eventual final margin … the next day, his leadoff double (on a 2-2 pitch to the opposite right field) ignited another 3-run rally, cutting tournament host South Florida’s lead to 4–3 … the Bulls went on to a 12–4 win, but his productive game included batting 2-for-3 with a walk and stolen base … named first team all-SWAC in 2014, after batting .346 in the regular season while twice compiling on-base streaks that surpassed 20 games (his .478 on-base pct. ranked second in the league) … nearly helped lead Alabama State to the 2014 NCAAs, as the Hornets lost a 9–8 heartbreaker vs. Jackson State in the SWAC title game (Jackson State went on to open the NCAAs with a win at Louisiana-Lafayette) … key member of 2014 team that won all of its SWAC series and posted notable non-conference wins over 4th-ranked Miami and Auburn (three members of the 2014 team were drafted, including SS Emmanuel Marrero in the 7th round by the Phillies) … product of Tampa’s Jefferson High School.

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D.J. MYERS
UNLV … RHP … So.
6-5/260 … Henderson, NV … #40

Transfer addition who appears poised to play a key role in the 2015 UNLV rotation, following his impressive DI debut against Nebraska (cb360 #26) in the series-deciding game that capped Opening Week (the Huskers had won the opener, 2–0, while the Rebels had a 5–3 win in gm-2) … his 7.2 shutout innings led the way in the 3–0 series finale, scattering three hits and only one walk while striking out five in the 97-pitch outing … did not allow a hit until the fourth inning, with only one runner reaching scoring position (none made it to third base) during the 7.2 innings … spent his first year of college baseball on the JC level, playing at the College of Southern Nevada … in-state product from Coronado High School.

note – UNLV action photo of Myers not currently available.

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BRODY RUSSELL
Fresno State … CF … Jr. … 6-2/185
Bakersfield, CA … 2-hole … bats: R … #7

Delivered both quantity and quality when it came to his offensive production during Opening Week series sweep of cb360 #41 UC Irvine, as Bulldogs won three straight tight finishes (5–4, 7–5, 7–5) vs. team that still includes several key players from the UCI squad that reached the 2014 CWS … hit .583 (7-for-12) in the series, also reaching via a walk, while factoring into seven of the team’s runs (5 RBI, 3 runs, home run) … added another productive plate appearance with a sacrifice bunt from his 2-hole spot in the lineup … his game-1 contributions (3–3; RBI, R, BB, sac) included the leadoff, 9th-inning single that sparked the winning rally … the next day, he singled home the tying run in the 7th and scored moments later on Taylor Ward’s triple … closed weekend by batting 3-for-5 in the series finale – including an RBI single that sparked a 2-out rally in the 7th, cutting UCI’s lead to 5–1, before launching a 2-run blast in the 8th for a 6–5 Bulldogs lead … served most of the 2014 season as the team’s starting centerfielder … product of Centennial High School.

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KIRBY TAYLOR
Rice … LF/DH … 5th-Yr. Sr. … 6-0/185
Bellaire, TX … 8-/5-hole … bats: R … #12

Sizzled in Opening Week while playing in the nation’s premier week-1 series, as Owls split four games vs. cb360 #9 Texas team that features several top returners from its 2014 CWS squad (the Owls swept the Sat. DH, 10–9 and 5–2, while the ‘Horns won 3–1 on Fri. and 4–3 in 10 inn. on Sun.) … somewhat of a surprise series hero, after playing mostly in a reserve role earlier in his career … hit at a .643 clip (9-for-14) across  the four games, with four RBI, two runs scored and a pair of RBI while batting mostly near the bottom of the lineup … amassed a lofty 1.453 OBS (.667 on-base plus .786 slugging pct.) that included an intentional walk in the 8th inning of the finale, with the score 3–3 … went 1-for-2 in the opener, after entering as a pinch-hitter … hit safely in all four games, including the first three-hit games of his Rice career … went 2-for-4 (RBI, R, 2B) to help even the series in game-2, with an RBI single up the middle in the 6-run bottom of the 1st and later what proved to be a valuable opposite-field double (to right-center) and insurance run scored in the 7th (10–7; with a 10–9 final) … bumped up to the 5-hole for gm-3 and delivered a 3-for-4, 3-RBI game that included an early run-scoring single up the middle and a 2-run single to the left-center gap in the 5th … capped the series with another 3-for-4 (back at the 8-hole) that featured an early 2-out single moving the lead runner to third, plus a single through the left side (and run scored) in the three-run bottom of the 5th (he was left stranded in the 6th, after a 2-out double down the leftfield line) … hit .355 in 62 at-bats during the 2014 season, with 11 starts on the right side of the infield or at DH – after appearing in only 12 games (four starts) in 2013 … began his college career at Texas A&M (five games played, in 2011) before spending the 2012 season as one of the top players for the national runner-up team at San Jacinto College (where Rice’s Wayne Graham began his collegiate coaching career) … in-state product who earned honorable mention All-America honors at Bellaire High School.

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JOSE VIZCAINO, JR.
Santa Clara … SS … Jr. … 6-3/220
La Jolla, CA … 2-hole … bats: R … #10

Namesake son of the former longtime major leaguer, making his dad proud during Opening Week with strong series at top-ranked and defending national champion Vanderbilt (SCU nearly swept doubleheader, with series decided in 10th inn. of gm-3) … reached base in his final seven plate appearances – including 9th-inning sequence that produced tying run and eventual winning run in gm-2 (7–6) … hit 5-for-10 while also drawing four walks (.667 on-base), with an RBI, two runs scored, a double and pair of stolen bases … also played error-free across 13 fielding chances, including six assists and helping turn a pair of double plays (while playing with three freshmen at the other infield positions) … opened his season by pulling a 1st-inning double down the leftfield line vs. All-American Carson Fulmer (who allowed only one other hit in his 5.0 innings) … opened Sat. doubleheader by batting 2-for-4 with a walk, two stolen bases and a run scored, as SCU answered two VU runs in the 8th with two in the top of the 9th en route to 7–6 upset win … his 2-out single through the left side helped produce the final score in SCU’s three-run top of the 4th (for 4–3 lead) … with Broncos trailing 6–5 in the 9th, he followed a Grant Meylan walk with an opposite-field single into right field, then stole second and ultimately scored the decisive run on a steal of home (missed squeeze bunt) … reached base in all six of his gm-3 plate appearances (2-for-2, 4 BB; RBI, R), during that 6–5, 10-inn. loss … his leadoff walk in the 3rd led to three SCU runs and 4–2 series finale lead, adding a clutch 2-out RBI single through the left side in the 4th (5–2) … capped his big series with 2-out walk in the 10th (runner on 2nd), but SCU failed to score … earned first team all-West Coast Conference honors in 2014 (hit .323; 56 starts mostly at shortstop) … southern California native and product of Francis Parker School, where he also played soccer … father Jose Vizcaino, Sr., played 18 Major League seasons (’89-’06), spanning stints with the Dodgers, Cubs, Mets, Indians, Giants, Yankees, Astros and Cardinals (1,453 career MLB hits) … the elder Vizcaino holds the rare distinction (along with Daryl Strawberry and Ricky Ledee) of being the only MLB players to have played for all four of the one-time New York franchises (Yankees, Mets, Dodgers and Giants) … since 2008, Jose, Sr. has worked for the Dodgers in their baseball operations division, currently as a special assistant for player personnel … his brother-in-law Bob Scanlan (the uncle of Jose, Jr.) was a big-league righthanded pitcher from 1991-2001, with the Cubs, Brewers, Tigers, Royals, Astros and Expos (with 39 starts among his 290 career appearances) … Scanlan has served for the past couple years as a color analyst for San Diego Padres radio (previously with Padres TV as well).

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COLBY WOODMANSEE
Arizona State … SS … So. … 6-3/195
Phoenix, AZ … 8-/7-hole … bats: R … #37

Launched pair of home runs from bottom-third of the lineup while collecting three other hits and playing error-free at shortstop, leading ASU to marquee series win vs. visiting Oklahoma State (cb360 #7) … slugged at a .923 clip (5-for-13, with the 2 HR and a double) while totaling three RBI and four runs scored … executed all 10 of his fielding chances up the middle, including seven assists and helping turn a pair of double plays … factored into three of the ASU runs (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR) in 4–3, 10-inning game that opened the season in thrilling fashion …  pulled 1-out single through the left side and later scored, as Devils took 2–0 lead in the 4th … dramatically ended the game leading off the bottom of the 10th, after turning on a 1–2 pitch and depositing it over the leftfield fence … had hits in all three games, including single in game-2 (5–3 win) … closed the weekend batting 2-for-4 (RBI, 2 R) in series finale, sparking ASU comeback from early 6–0 deficit (OK State won 9–8) … his first-pitch double (down the leftfield line) and run scored helped the Devils score three in the 4th … cut the deficit to 9–7 in the 7th, after working ahead in the count (3–1) and sending another solo shot to left … started 24 games at shortstop as a freshman in 2014 … in-state product from Desert Vista High School.

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TIM YANDEL
Tulane … RHP/DH … Jr. … Woodstock, GA
6-1/190 … 6-hole … bats:R … #5

Two-way talent whose production in series win at Pepperdine (cb360 #45) included hitting his first career home run and logging 6.1 shutout, no-hit innings in his first career collegiate start, as Green Wave nearly swept team that returns several top players from squad that was three outs from reaching the 2014 College World Series … despite having pitched a total of only 18 innings (all in relief) during his fist two seasons, he took the ball with confidence as gm-3 starter at Pepperdine, holding the host team without a run or hit while pitching into the 7th  (Pepperdine rallied in the 9th for a 2–1 win that spoiled his outing) … also issued only two walks (plus a hit batter) while striking out five … impressively allowed only two balls out of the infield throughout his 6.1 innings – with his 19 outs also including eight groundballs, an infield lineout double play, and two foulouts … likely could have pitched even deeper into the game, but his pitch count was extended by three errors from the defense behind him … had not pitched longer than 3.0 innings previously in his college career … in series-opening win (9–3), pulled a two-run home run to left field as part of six-run bottom of the 6th that yielded 6–2 lead … also drew a key walk in gm-2 (9–5 win), as Tulane scored four in the 8th (followed by five in the 9th) to stunningly clinch the series … the home run at Pepperdine was the first of his college career, after playing in 45 games (35 starts) as a freshman and 13 in 2014 (six starts), filling roles at various infield and outfield positions … did not pitch as a freshman before logging 18 relief innings in 2014 (1–1 with a save, 11 Ks and 0.50 ERA) … Georgia product from Etowah High School.

The first full week of the 2014 college baseball season (Feb. 17-23) has yielded 10 honorees on the latest CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll, as presented by CollegeBaseball360.com. University of Texas senior centerfielder and 2-hole hitter Mark Payton (Chicagi, Ill.) is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week, while University of San Francisco fifth-year senior righthander Hiouston Hibberd (Los Gatos, Calif.) is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Cal Poly freshman Slater Lee (Carlsbad, Calif.) has been selected as the week-2 CB360 Primetime Rookie of the Week.

The first full week of the 2014 college baseball season (Feb. 17-23) has yielded 10 honorees on the latest CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll, as presented by CollegeBaseball360.com. University of Texas senior centerfielder and 2-hole hitter Mark Payton (Chicago, Ill.) – pictured at right – is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week, while University of San Francisco fifth-year senior righthander Houston Hibberd (Los Gatos, Calif.) is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Cal Poly freshman Slater Lee (Carlsbad, Calif.) has been selected as the week-2 CB360 Primetime Rookie of the Week.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (2014; #2)
(for the week of Feb 17-23, 2014 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
             “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Brandon Cipolla  (Holy Cross … CF … Sr. … 6-0/190 … bats: R … cleanup … Abington, MA … #18)
Christian DeLeon  (Nebraska … RHP … Sr. … 6-3/200 … Richmond, TX … #33)
Tyler Ford  (Houston … LHP … Sr. … 5-8/185 … Richmond, TX … #29)
*Houston Hibberd  (San Francisco … RHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr. … 6-2/195 … Los Gatos, CA … #40)
Cory Hunt  (Utah … SS … Sr. … 5-10/175 … bats: R … 9-hole … Sandy, UT … #15)
*Slater Lee  (Cal Poly … RHP … Fr. … 6-0/200 … Carlsbad, CA … #36)
Andrew McGee  (Monmouth … LHP … Sr. … 6-2/230 … Toms River, NJ … #17)
Ty Nichols  (Sacramento State … RHP … Sr./Jr. … 6-5/190 … Bangor, CA … #19)
*Mark Payton  (Texas … CF … Sr. … 5-8/190 … bats: L … 2-hole … Chicago, IL … #2)
Nick Sabo  (Long Beach State … LHP … Jr. … 6-5/220 … Spring Valley, CA … #17)

* Hibberd is the CB360 Primetime Pitcher of the Week, Payton the Primetime Player of the Week and Lee the Primetime Rookie of the Week.

All photos courtesy of the respective schools.

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BRANDON CIPOLLA
Holy Cross … CF … Sr. … 6-0/190
bats: R … cleanup … Abington, MA … #18

Veteran centerfielder who played central role in Crusaders split of their season-opening 4-game series at cb360 #5 Mississippi State (2-6, 4-8, 7-6, 6-1), which had opened its season the previous week at home … hit 7-for-15 with 12 total bases (home run, two doubles) and 10 times on base, adding three walks while showing his versatility with a sacrifice bunt … scored four times, with two RBI in the series … hit safely in all four games, while doing battle against the 2013 CWS runner-up squad amidst the electric atmosphere of Dudy-Noble Field … reached base six times spanning the pair of wins vs. the Bulldogs, batting 3-for-6 with three walks (plus the sac. bunt) … doubled and scored in the series opener before batting 3-for-5 with a 2-run home run in gm-2 (the rest of the Crusaders hit .259 with nine strikeouts in that 8-4 loss) … helped push Holy Cross past the host team in second game of Saturday doubleheader, after reaching base four times in that 7-6 win (2-for-3, 2 BB) with a double and two runs scored … walked and scored to help Crusaders jump out to 3-0 lead in first inning of that win, later hitting a leadoff double and scoring another run in the 3rd (helping reclaim the lead, 5-3) … also hit leadoff single in the 5th and drew 2-out walk in the 7th inning of that gm-3 win … reached base twice more (1-for-3, BB) in 6-1 series finale win, with his 7th-inning sac. bunt advancing a teammate who came around to score … has reached base in 20 consecutive games, dating back to the 2013 season … third-year starter who earned second team all-Patriot League honors in 2012 (hit .323 with 28 RBI, 5 HR) and again in 2013 (.333, 30 RBI, 2 HR) … product of Boston College High School.
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CHRISTIAN DeLEON
Nebraska … RHP … Sr.
6-3/200 … Richmond, TX … #33

Huskers ace who rose to the challenge against Oregon State team (cb360 #2) that was ranked atop several national polls … yielded only an unearned run in seven strong innings, with Nebraska rolling to the 9-2 upset as tournament host, in Surprise, Ariz. (avenging a 15-7 loss to Oregon State six days earlier, in nearby Tempe) … faced only 25 Oregon State batters, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out five … located two-thirds of his pitches for strikes (58 of 88) and was pushed to a 3-ball count only three times in the game … effective keeping the ball down in the zone, as 17 of his outs came via Ks (5), groundballs (11, including one double play) and an infield popup … two of his four hits allowed were hit through the infield … Oregon State’s lone run came courtesy of a third-inning passed ball … pitched in a tight ballgame (0-0 or 1-0) for the first five innings, until the Huskers scored four in the 6th … faced the minimum three batters in five of his seven innings, including the third when a 1-out walk was erased with a caught stealing … retired the first six batters he faced (four via Ks, plus one groundout) … did not allow any hits from the first five batters in the Oregon State batting order (0-for-14, with one walk and four Ks) – including the dangerous 3-4-5 hitter stretch of All-American Michael Conforto, Dylan Davis and Kavin Keyes (each was 0-for-3 with a K) … delivered Nebraska’s first win over a No. 1-ranked opponent since 2005 … former junior college transfer who attended North Central Texas College in 2011 and Blinn CC in 2012 … converted from long-relief role in 2013, when he emerged as the staff ace en route to going 7-4 with a 3.21 season ERA (46 Ks and 15 BB in 96.2 innings; .285 opp. batting avg.) …Texas native who starred at Foster High School.
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TYLER FORD
Houston … LHP … Sr.
5-8/185 … Richmond, TX … #29

Came out of the bullpen in tight game at crosstown rival Rice (cb360 #15) and responded with 5.1 dominant shutout innings – in addition to working out of an inherited bases-loaded jam, as Cougars clung to 1-0 lead before scoring two in the 9th for 3-0 final … faced only 18 Owls batters (two over the minimum) and did not work to a three-ball count against any of them (with only one 2-ball count) while locating 82% of his pitches for strikes (44 of 54) … limited Rice to a pair of hits and no walks, with two strikeouts … later pitched 2.2 shutout innings of middle relief (plus stranding two inherited baserunners) in game-3 vs. Michigan, holding the fort as Houston later went on to win 4-3 and sweep that series … his totals for the week included allowing only three hits and no walks in 8.0 shutout innings, with two Ks and a lowly .111 opponent batting avg. … had to deal with a total of five inherited baserunners during the week, with all of them left stranded … entered Rice game with bases loaded in the 4th and quickly squashed the threat, striking out Leon Byrd on three pitches for a rally-ending K (swinging) … set down the side in order during three of his five full innings vs. Rice, including a closing stretch in which he retried the final eight batters he faced … entered Michigan game in top of the 4th with Cougars trailing and two runners aboard, but kept the deficit at 3-1 by inducing a first-pitch flyout from Cole Martin … ended up retiring eight of the nine Wolverines he faced (1 H), with Houston rallying in the 7th en route to 4-3 series-sweeping win … located nearly 60% of his pitches for strikes vs. Michigan (19 of 33; only two 3-ball counts) … has yet to allow a run in three appearances and 9.1 innings this season (4 H, no walks and 4 Ks) … key reliever on Houston staff that has allowed runs in only four of 64 innings so far this season (the Cougars have started 7-0), with a 0.84 staff ERA … former junior college transfer from Alvin CC … made 16 relief appearances with the Cougars in 2013 (4.32, 2-1, 2 saves, 26 Ks and only 5 BB in 25 IP; .240 opp. avg.) … hails from same hometown, Richardson, Texas, as fellow week-2 Primetime Performer Christian DeLeon, a senior pitcher for Nebraska (see above; Ford pitched for Travis High School and DeLeon for crosstown rival Foster HS).
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HOUSTON HIBBERD
* CB360 PRIMETIME PITCHER OF THE WEEK *
San Francisco … RHP … 5th-Yr.-Sr.
6-2/195 … Los Gatos, CA … #40

Unlikely hero in 19-inning marathon at Cal State Fullerton, pitching 7.1 shutout, no-hit innings in relief to pick up the win (6-5) in game that had been deadlocked since the 5th … faced only three batters over the minimum (25), with all three baserunners coming in the 13th as he worked around two hit batters and a walk … former junior college transfer who had pitched only 4.2 innings in his USF career (2013-14, after redshirting in 2012) – before being pressed into duty as the fourth of five Dons pitchers in the (very) extended series opener at Fullerton … retired the Titans 1-2-3 in all six of his other full innings, including the 14th through the 18th (he ended the game with 16 straight outs) … kept the ball in the infield for most of his outing (20 of 25 batters), with six strikeouts, nine groundouts, two infield popups and only five flyouts … one of his strikeouts came on a called third strike and it was a huge one – after inheriting runners on first and second in the bottom of the 11th (2-hole hitter Taylor Brant went down “looking” to end the threat) … did not allow a hit (in 22 official at-bats) from potent Fullerton offense that won 12-0 on opening day vs. Washington State and would go on to win 11-0 in gm-2 of the San Francisco series … worked in and out of a 13th-inning jam, after issuing free passes (HBP, walk) to the first two batters (Fullerton tried the sac. bunt but it yielded a 3-5 putout across the diamond, followed by a 6-4 groundout and Brant striking out on a full-count high fastball) … the first meeting ever between the Dons and the Titans proved to be a memorable one, providing the longest game in Cal State Fullerton baseball history and the highest-ranked opponent ever defeated by USF … made six very short relief appearances during the 2013 season (2.2 total innings; 1 R, 5 K) … played at West Valley College before transferring to USF and redshirting in 2012 … led the Cal Ripken League with 60.2 innings pitched during the 2011 summer season, compiling a 2.08 ERA and three complete games as a league all-star for the Rockville Express (he then led the Danville Dans with 72.2 innings during the 2012 Prospect League summer season) … his father Huck Hibberd played baseball at San Jose State and was a pitcher in the minor leagues with the Rangers organization … product of Los Gatos High School.
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CORY HUNT
Utah … SS … Sr. … 5-10/175
bats: R … 9-hole … Sandy, UT … #15

Provided consistent and clutch production from the bottom of the Utah batting order throughout week-2, as Utes went 3-1 with wins over cb360 #12 Indiana, (39) Nebraska and a Sacramento State team that won later in the week at Texas A&M (the Utes lone loss during the week came against a Michigan State team that upset top-ranked Oregon State) … had two hits in all four games, batting 8-for-15 with four RBI and three runs scored while playing error-free at shortstop spanning 23 fielding chances (he also helped turn two double plays) … his production over the four games also included a stolen base, executing a sacrifice bunt and reaching on a hit-by-pitch … reached base three times (2-for-3, HBP), drove in two runs and scored another during 5-4 win at Sacramento State, adding a stolen bases … followed with another 2-for-3 game and two runs scored in 8-5 loss vs. Michigan State, in Surprise, Ariz. … the next day against Indiana, he executed a 5th-inning sacrifice bunt before delivering two huge RBI singles in extra innings – as Utes won 5-4 in 15 … joined relief pitcher Nick Green (pitched from the 8th into the 15th, allowing only an unearned run) as Utah’s extra-inning heroes in that extended action … Indiana took a 4-3 lead in the top of the 13th, but Hunt came through with two outs in the bottom of the frame – singling through the right side to bring home Max Schuman and extend the game … then, in the 15th, his 2-out single to the left-center gap plated Schuman again to end the game … closed the weekend by batting 2-for-4 with 11 error-free fielding chances (including a double play) in the 4-3 win over Nebraska … batting .296 for the season, with four RBI and four runs scored in seven games (BB, 2 HBP, 2 sac. bunts, 3 SB, no errors on 35 fielding chances) … hit .287 as a junior in 2013 (20 R, 18 RBI, 2 HR) … missed a month of the 2012 season due to injury (.219, 8 RBI), after playing sparingly as a freshman … his father Jim Hunt played baseball at Utah in the early 1970s … product of Jordan High School.
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SLATER LEE
* CB360 PRIMETIME ROOKIE OF THE WEEK *
Cal Poly … RHP … Fr.
6-0/200 … Carlsbad, CA … #36

San Diego area native who twirled a two-hit shutout in his SoCal return at defending NCAA champion UCLA (cb360 #11), with that 8-0 win squaring the series (the Mustangs also won gm-3) … the performance marked the first time since 1996 that a Cal Poly pitcher has gone the distance while allowing two or fewer hits – and the first time it has been fashioned by a Mustangs freshman, in the program’s 20-year Division I era … faced only 31 batters (four over the minimum), with the others reaching via a hit batter, a walk (erased on a 2-3 pickoff) and an infield error … struck out seven Bruins batters while generally keeping the ball in the infield for a large chunk of the game, as 22 of his 27 outs came via Ks (14), groundballs (14) and the 3rd-inning pickoff … located nearly 70% of his pitches for strikes (73 of 108) while reaching a 3-ball count only four times in the game (none over his final 22 batters faced, 20 of which were retired) … the only baserunners that he allowed after the 3rd inning came on a 2-out error in the 5th and an infield hit by the ensuing batter … logged six 1-2-3 innings, including final stretch in which he retired 13 straight to end the solo shutout … delivered first-pitch strike to 24 of his 31 batters faced and allowed only three runners into scoring position (two of them coming in the 1st) … after opening up by allowing leadoff single to center by Brian Carroll, he yielded only one hit the rest of the way (one that did not leave the infield) … after 1st-inning jam, he allowed only two more baserunners that were of his own making (hit, walk or HBP) … left two runners on in the opening frame, after inducing a 4-3 grooundout from 5-hole hitter Pat Gallagher … similarly ended the threat in the 5th on a 4-3 groundout from Carroll … three of his strikeouts came on called third strikes, including two to end the 7th … impressive start to his college career includes a 0.59 ERA spanning 15.1 innings, allowing only four hits and two walks while averaging nearly a strikeout per innings (14) … won his debut in game-2 of home series vs. cb360 preseason #18 Kansas State (6.1–R–2H–BB–7K), with that 5-2 victory preceding a series sweep for the Mustangs (who headed home from UCLA with a 6-1 season record) … product of Carlsbad High School.
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ANDREW McGEE
Monmouth … LHP … Sr.
6-2/230 … Toms River, NJ … #17

Won Monmouth’s season opener in impressive fashion, going the distance while facing only 31 batters and yielding no earned runs (one unearned) in 5-1 win at cb360 #31 Florida Atlantic (which had scored 31 runs the previous week in a 3-gm series vs. Notre Dame) … allowed only four hits and no walks, while helping erase three of those baserunners – via an L3 double play, a game-ending 643 DP and a runner thrown out trying to steal home (he supplied the tag) … those deleted baserunners were replaced by in the final batters faced total by three other FAU hitters who reached on errors (including two in the 9th, when FAU scored its unearned run on a sac. fly) … his 27 outs included six strikeouts and 14 others that stayed in the infield (six on groundballs, seven others through popups/foulouts/lineouts, and the caught-stealing at the plate) … registered 17 outs over opening span of 17 batters faced, later adding 1-2-3 innings in the 7th and 8th … named 2013 Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year, after going 8-2 with a 2-12 ERA (69 Ks and only 15 BB in 110.1 innings; .223 opp. batting avg.) … went 7-4 as a junior in 2012 (4.58; 61 Ks and 24 BB in 76’2; .267 opp. avg.) … a Freshman All-American and first team all-NEC performer in 2011, after compiling a 2.51 ERA in 46.2 innings (5-3; 35 Ks, 11 BB; .276 opp. avg.) … product of Toms River South High School.
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TY NICHOLS
Sacramento State … RHP … Sr./Jr.
6-5/190 … Bangor, CA … #19

Strung together seven shutout innings during tight battle at Texas A&M (cb360 #23), leading Hornets to 1-0 victory amidst electric atmosphere with nearly 5,000 fans on hand at Blue Bell Stadium … scattered six hits and one walk, while benefitting from three double plays to face only 25 batters (with a pair of strikeouts) … located nearly two-thirds of his pitches for strikes (48), in efficient 77-pitch outing … delivered the victory in program’s first game ever against a Southeastern Conference opponent … combined with closer Sutter McLoughlin to shut out Aggies team that had racked up 34 runs during its 4-0 start … touched for only one extra-base hit, helping offset minimal offensive support from the Sac State hitters (who went 3-for-31 with only two bases on balls) … allowed only one runner to reach scoring position (none made it to third base) – the first coming via a 1-out groundout in the 2nd inning, and the second on a 2-out double in the 5th … one weak earlier, he won on Opening Day, 3-2 against a Utah team that went on to upset Indiana and Nebraska during week-2 … has compiled a 1.38 ERA through 13 innings this season, with seven Ks and only one walk (11 hits allowed) … took a redshirt season in 2011 before making 15 appearances (seven of them starts) in 2012 (2-3; 28 Ks in 37.1 innings) … made 13 starts among his 16 appearances in 2013, going 4-6 with a 3.89 ERA (43 Ks, 19 BB in 74 IP; .258 opp. batting avg.) … product of Gridley High School.
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MARK PAYTON
* CB360 PRIMETIME PLAYER OF THE WEEK *
Texas … CF … Sr. … 5-8/190
bats: L … 2-hole … Chicago, IL … #2

One of college baseball’s top returning all-around hitters who has picked up right where he left off in 2013, when he hit nearly .400 (.393), slugged .545 and had an on-base pct. of .483 … has batted at a .613 clip (19-for-31) over the first eight games of the 2014 season – including 10-for-14 with six walks during second-week action, which included a win over Texas A&M-Corpus-Christi before taking 2-of-3 vs. visiting Stanford (cb360 #47) … ended the Stanford series having reached base in 47 consecutive games, dating back to the 2013 season (with an active 17-game hitting streak, spanning both seasons) … scored (4) or drove in (4) eight of the Texas runs during week-2, with 14 total bases matching his 14 at-bats, to go along with the 16 times on-base (an impressive avg. of four times on-base per game during the week) … hit 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored in the 10-0 midweek win over A&M-CC … found himself on-base seemingly in every one of his plate appearances during the Stanford series (13 of 15, to be exact), after batting 8-for-10 with five walks vs. the Cardinal (4 RBI, 2 R) … some quality college players can go an entire season without hitting multiple triples, but Payton tripled in back-to-back games to open week-2 (vs. A&M-CC and in the 9-3 win over Stanford) … he also had tripled during the season-opening series at Cal, as part of his 9-for-17 batting over those four games … hit 4-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored in the gm-1 win over Stanford,  highlighted by his early 2-out/2-run triple … kept up his tremendous production the next day by reaching base five times (3-for-3, 2 BB; RBI, run, stolen base) in the tightly-contested second game, a 4-3 win for the ‘Horns … pulled first-inning single into the right-center gap, advancing Brooks Marlow as both would come across to score for early Texas lead in gm-2 … later delivered with 2-outs in the bottom of the 7th, driving an RBI single up the middle for 3-2 lead – while yet another clutch 2-out plate appearance, a walk in the 9th, advanced Collin Shaw and Marlow (the game ended moments later on a wild pitch) … closed the week by reaching four times (1-for-2, 3 BB) in 11-5 loss to the Cardinal (his 2-out walk in the 4th helped lead to a Texas run) … his 2014 season totals through eight games include the .613 batting avg. (19-for-31) and a ridiculous 1.608 OPS (.676 on-base plus .935 slugging), along with five extra-base hits (HR, 3 3B, 2B), eight RBI, seven runs scored and six walks (giving him 25 combined hits and walks, or 3.1 per gm) … has struck out only once this season in 38 plate appearances, which include a sacrifice fly … a unanimous (no-brainer) pick for 2013 first team all-Big 12 honors, en route to finishing with the .393 batting avg. (best at Texas since 2002; 2nd-best in 25 yrs) and a team-leading 29 RBI … hit .322 while receiving second team all-Big 12 honors in 2012 (40 runs, 5 HR) … member of the 2011 Big 12 All-Freshman Team (.263, 25 RBI)… father David Payton played baseball at the University of Illinois … product of Chicago’s St. Rita High School.

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NICK SABO
Long Beach State … LHP … Jr.
6-5/220 … Spring Valley, CA … #17

Rattled off a career-long eight innings while posting another career-best with eight strikeouts, fronting shutout win at cb360 #20 Arizona State (11-0) … faced 29 batters (five over the minimum) while working around six hits and a pair of walks … located 85 of his 118 pitches for strikes (72%) … 18 of his 24 outs came via Ks (8), groundballs (7), infield popups (2) and a caught stealing … faced the minimum three batters in the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th innings (helped by a double play in the 6th and a 7th-inning tag that stopped a runner trying to stretch a single) … allowed only three runners into scoring position (one over his final six innings; none from the 5th-8th) … fielded a groundball and started 1-5-2 sequence that erased runner from third (in the 2nd inning) … half of his eight strikeouts came on called third strikes that tricked the ASU batters, including two to close the 7th (all three of his outs in the 8th were Ks) … has a 0.66 ERA over two starts this season but is 1-1, after losing season opener to one of nation’s top teams, Vanderbilt … averaging nearly a strikeout per inning (13 in 13.2), with only four walks and a .208 opp. batting avg. … split six decisions as a sophomore in 2013 (26 Ks and 20 BB in 39.1; .290 opp. avg.) … made three starts and five relief appearances as a rookie in 2012 (10 Ks in 16 IP) … product of Monte Vista High School.

College Baseball 360’s weekly honors have returned for the 2014 season, with 11 players named to the Primetime Performers Honor Roll for Opening Week (Feb. 14-16). Kentucky junior two-way talent A.J. Reed (Terre Haute, Ind.) is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week, while Canisius junior righthander Rohn Pierce (Lockport, N.Y.) is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week and California freshman pitcher Daulton Jeffries (Atwater, Calif.) has been tabbed for the inaugural CB360 Primetime Rookie of the Week award.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (2014; #1)
(weekend of Feb 14-16, 2014 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
             “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Skyler Ewing  (Rice … LF/C … Jr. … 6-1/220 … bats: R … 3-hole/cleanup … Arlington, TX … #44)
Scott Heath  (Maine … LHP/1B … Jr. … 6-0/185 … bats: L … 6-hole … Westbrook, ME … #29)
Matt Imhof  (Cal Poly … LHP … Jr. … 6-5/220 … Freemont, CA … #48)
*Daulton Jeffries  (California … RHP … Fr. … 5-11/175 … Atwater, CA … #24)
Louie Lechich  (San Diego … CF/LHP … Sr. … 6-4/205 … bats: L … 2-hole … Stockton, CA … #21)
Jeremy Null  (Western Carolina … RHP… Jr. … 6-8/230 … Claremont, NC … #46)
*Rohn Pierce  (Canisius … RHP… Jr. … 6-3/210 … Lockport, NY … #30)
Tim Proudfoot  (Texas Tech .. SS .. Jr. .. 5-10/180 .. bats: R .. 2-/8-/7-hole .. North Bend, WA … #1)
*A.J. Reed  (Kentucky … DH/LHP … Jr. … 6-4/240 … bats: L … cleanup … Terre Haute, IN … #18)
Nick Tanielu  (Washington St. .. 3B .. Jr./So. .. 5-11/200 .. bats: R .. 3-hole .. Federal Way, WA..#30)
Zarley Zalewski  (Kent St. .. DH .. So. .. 6-3/185 .. bats: S .. cleanup.. New Kensington, PA.#9)

* Pierce is the CB360 Primetime Pitcher of the Week, Reed the Primetime Player of the Week and Jeffries the Primetime Rookie of the Week.

All photos courtesy of the respective schools

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SKYLER EWING
Rice … 1B … Jr. … 6-1/220
bats: R … 3-hole/cleanup … Arlington, TX … #44

Opened season by collecting multiple hits and multiple RBI in each game of series at cb360 #42 Stanford, as Owls won 2-of-3 (10-3, 5-1, 3-12) … hit 7-for-12 over Opening Week, with two home runs and eight RBI while compiling a 1.738 OPS (.571 on-base plus 1.167 slugging pct.) … his 14 total bases during the series included a gm-2 double while his nine productive plate appearances featured the seven hits along with a base on balls and a sacrifice fly … opened the season in strong fashion, batting 3-for-4 with 4 RBI in big 10-3 win over the Cardinal … followed with a pair of extra-base hits in gm-2, including a home run leading off the 7th to end a scoreless deadlock (he added a sac. fly in the pivotal 4-run top of the 8th) … closed the series with another 2-for-4 game and his second home run, a 2-out/2-run shot in the top of the first (he added a single later in that 12-3 loss, but the rest of the Owls hit 5-for-24 the rest of the way) … started most of the 2013 season, mostly at first base (hit .226 with 4 HR, 23 RBI) after playing sparingly as a freshman in 2012 … product of Arlington High School.
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SCOTT HEATH
Maine … LHP/1B … Jr. … 6-0/185
bats: L … 6-hole … Westbrook, ME … #29

Veteran two-way player who impressively won second game of season-opening series at cb360 #17 Miami, 3-1 … faced only 26 Hurricanes batter in that 7-inning stint, after yielding two hits, one walk and a hit batter while striking out eight (62 of his 95 pitches went for strikes) … also singled as the starting first baseman in gm-1 of the Miami series … made 25 starts offensively in 2013, batting .279 with 25 RBI and a home run (plus four pitching appearances, three starts) … named to the 2012 America East Conference All-Rookie Team, after batting .279 with 25 RBI, a pair of home runs and three lateseason pitching appearances … product of Westbrook High School.  (pitching action photo currently not available for Heath)

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MATT IMHOF
Cal Poly … LHP … Jr.
6-5/220 … Freemont, CA … #48

Made move into the #1 starter role for Cal Poly, following the departure of 2013 ace and 13-game winner Joey Wagman, and responded in dominating fashion on Opening Day – striking out 14 while allowing only one ball out of the infield in 7-plus innings, as Mustangs knocked off cb360 #18 Kansas State, 3-0, en route to week-1 series sweep (K-St. was coming off an historic 2013 season that included nearly reaching the College World Series) … faced 27 batters while pitching into the 8th, allowing only two hits (both infield singles) and three walks, plus a hit batter to start the 8th (capping his 111-pitch outing) … five of his 14 Ks came on called third strikes … recorded strikeouts in all seven of his full innings, including two 3K innings and three other frames with two strikeouts … set down the side in order during the 1st and 4th innings … allowed only two runners to reach second base (neither ventured on to third), with the first coming courtesy of a throwing error by the Cal Poly shortstop (on RJ Santigate’s 2-out single in the 5th) … the other runner to reach second came in the 6th, after Ross Kivett’s leadoff walk and a sac.-bunt popup … 20 of his 21 outs stayed in the infield, with 14 Ks, three groundouts and three infield popups (Shane Conlon’s leadoff flyout to center in the 4th was the only ball hit out of the infield vs. Imhof) … Kivett had the other K-State hit in the game, a 3rd-inning single to third base … struck out seven of the nine Kansas State starters, all but Kivett and Austin Fisher, with six of them striking out multiple times (Kivett later K’d vs. closer Reed Reilly) … after issuing leadoff walk to Fisher in the 7th, he struck out the next three batters with only three pitches landing out of the strike zone in that 3-K closing span … earned 2013 honorable mention All-Big West status after going 7-3 with a 2.74 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 101.2 innings (30 BB; .249 opp. batting avg.) … served mostly as a middle reliever during his 2012 freshman season (3.04; 31 Ks in 47.1) … area product from Mission San Jose High School.
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 DAULTON JEFFRIES
* CB360 PRIMETIME ROOKIE OF THE WEEK *
California … RHP … Fr.
5-11/175 … Atwater, CA … #24

Freshman pitchers rarely start Opening Day in college baseball, but Jeffries did just that and showed the composure of a veteran – fashioning six shutout innings as the Bears went on to blank visiting Texas (cb360 #23), 7-0, en route to splitting the four-game week-1 series … struck out four while scattering six hits and one walk … worked around a couple hits from dangerous Texas 2-hole hitter Mark Payton … settled down after allowing singles by the first two batters he faced … after that 1st-inning jam, he retired eight straight batters (from the 1st-3rd) before Payton reached on a single back to the mound … left five Texas baserunners stranded in scoring position … first freshman pitcher to start on Opening Day in the 15-year tenure of head coach David Esquer … older brother Jake Jeffries has played professionally in the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays organizations … product of Buhach Colony High School.
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LOUIE LECHICH
San Diego … CF/LHP … Sr. … 6-4/205
bats: L … 2-hole … Stockton, CA … #21

Proven two-way talent who made big impact both at the plate and on the mound, as Toreros won series vs. visiting New Mexico (cb360 #40): 6-4, 2-3 (in 11) and 17-2 … hit 8-for-14 (.429) during Opening Week, factoring into seven runs (5 RBI, 3 HR, HR) while adding a pair of doubles, a sacrifice bunt, a stolen base and only one strikeout as the Toreros 2-hole hitter … won the series finale with 5.2 strong innings, allowed only one run while scattering seven hits and a pair of walks (2 Ks; 2 hit batters) … scored or drove in half of USD’s runs (RBI, 2 R) during tight 6-4 season opener, batting 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base … in the narrow, extra-inning gm-2 loss vs. the Lobos, he had an early RBI single and sacrifice bunt before later reaching on a 2-out double in the 8th (he was left stranded, but USD tied it in the 9th) … his hot bat in gm-3 helped his own cause on the mound, with his 3-for-6 day including a 2-run blast in the 1st followed by an RBI single in the 2nd (as USD jumped out to a 7-0 lead) … key member of USD’s 2013 NCAA tournament team, as starting centerfielder (.265, HR, 25 RBI) and 50-inning contributor on the mound (10 starts; 3.24, 3-3, 35 Ks, 17 BB, .256 opp. batting) … earned honorable mention all-West Coast honors as a sophomore in 2012 (hit .311 with 33 RBI, plus 8.0 innings pitched) … began his college baseball career at Cal in 2011, hitting .286 with 5 RBI and 19.1 innings pitched for Bears squad that reached the CWS … product of St. Mary’s High School.
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JEREMY NULL
Western Carolina … RHP… Jr.
6-8/230 … Claremont, NC … #46

Lived up to his billing – and then some – as the Southern Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year, after logging eight shutout innings for Opening Day win at cb360 #4 Mississippi State (3-2 win, after bullpen allowed 2R in the 9th) … faced only four batters over the minimum (28), with three hits and one walk allowed, while racking up 12 strikeouts and registering five other outs via infield popups and groundouts … the Bulldogs’ first two singles both went up the middle … limited each of Mississippi State’s top returning hitters, the 2-3-4 batting combo of Alex Detz, Brett Pirtle and deep-ball threat Wes Rea – to 0-for-3 days against him (Rea struck out all three times, while Pirtle also had a K vs. “the Null Set”) … retired the first seven batters he faced, adding three more 1-2-3 innings in the 4th, 6th and 8th … did not allow a runner into scoring position until there were two outs in the 7th, but promptly responded by getting pinch-hitter Jacob Robson looking at a called third strike to leave runners on the corners … struck out seven of the first 13 batters he faced, while half of his 12 Ks were “looking” … also posted double-digit Ks in WCU’s 2013 season opener (12 Ks, vs. Washington State) … second team all-SoCon performer in 2013 (3.46, 9-2, 109 Ks and 27 BB in 91.0; .240 opp. batting avg.), after earning a spot on the SoCon All-Freshman Team in 2012 (5.05, 4-4, 63 Ks and 28 BB in 73.0; .271 opp. avg.) … earned prep All-America honors while starring for Bunker Hill High School.
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ROHN PIERCE
* CB360 PRIMETIME PITCHER OF THE WEEK *
Canisius … RHP… Jr.
6-3/210 … Lockport, NY … #30

Opened the season opposite the pitcher widely considered to be the top prospect for the 2014 MLB Draft, North Carolina State lefthander Carlos Rodon, and responded with his own dominating performance – shutting down NC State (cb360 #8) for seven innings as Griffins claimed 3-0 upset win in Raleigh … faced 27 batters while scattering five hits (all singles) and a lone walk in 101-pitch outing that included 65 strikes and six strikeouts … did not allow any baserunenrs to venture past second base – and on the three occasions when a ‘Pack player did reach second, he immediately responded with a strikeout (in the 1st, 5th and 7th), with one of those three scoring-position baserunners coming courtesy of a 7th-inning passed ball … registered three 1-2-3 innings (in the 2nd, 4th and 6th) … opened the game by allowing a single from All-American Trea Turner and a walk by veteran catcher Brett Austin, before retiring 21 of the next 25 he faced (only four of which reached 3-ball counts) … compiled a 5.25 ERA in 60 innings as a junior in 2013 (3-1; 46 Ks, 19 BB; .282 opp. batting avg.), after logging 68 innings as the team’s #4 starter during his freshman season in 2012 (4.63, 2-3, 51 Ks and 17 BB; .266 opp. avg.) … product of Newfane High School.
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TIM PROUDFOOT
Texas Tech … SS … Jr. … 5-10/180
bats: R … 2-/8-/7-hole … North Bend, WA … #1

Talented third-year defensive shortstop who could be due for a breakthrough season at the plate, after batting only .237 as a freshman and .233 in 2013 (he totaled only 11 errors in each season, as the team’s starting shortstop with 106 starts over that two-year span) … played error-free spanning 25 fielding changes during Opening Week, while collecting multiple hits in all three week-1 wins over cb360 #7 Indiana, as the Red Raiders took the 4-gm series (0-1, 10-5, 6-2, 7-0) from a Hoosiers team looking to build off its 2013 College World Series season … singled twice and plated a run on a sacrifice fly, while helping TT square the series in gm-2 … turned in his most productive day of the weekend in gm-3, batting 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored (his 2-out RBI single in the 7th pushed the Raiders to the final 6-2 cushion) … also reached three times in the series-finale shutout, after batting 2-for-3 with a walk to provide more production from the bottom third of the batting order … named to the 2012 Big 12 Conference All-Freshman Team (29 RBI, followed by a 34-RBI season in 2013) … his brother Brandon Proudfoot is a PGA golf professional is Snoqualmie, Wash. … product of Mount Si High School.
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A.J. REED
* CB360 PRIMETIME PLAYER OF THE WEEK *
Kentucky … DH/LHP … Jr. … 6-4/240
bats: L … cleanup … Terre Haute, IN … #18

Yet another veteran two-way talent among these week-1 Primetime Performers, after playing lead role in Wildcats wins over cb360 #3 Virginia (8-3) and tournament host (36) UNC Wilmington (10-4) … lefthanded power hitter who also is set to serve as the team’s ace gm-1 starting pitcher in 2014 … factored into eight of the Kentucky runs (5 RBI, 3 R, HR) during the first three games, while batting 5-for-13 with a home run and two doubles (also reached via a hit-by-pitch) … drew the Opening Day start against Virginia, a squad tabbed by some as the nation’s preseason #1 team, and picked up the win with five solid innings – allowing a single run on three hits and three walks (plus a hit batter, with two strikeouts) … got Kentucky on the board with his RBI double and came around to score in 4-run bottom of the 4th vs. UVa, for 4-1 lead … provided a pair of key extra-base hits the next day in win over UNCW: first on a 3-run homer in the 3rd and then on a 2-out, RBI double in the 7-run top of the 5th (he went on to score later that innings, as part of Kentucky’s 10-0 midgame lead) … reached base three times (2-for-4, hit-by-pitch) and scored a run in Sunday game vs. VMI, but the Keydets rallied from late 9-4 deficit to win, 10-9 … received 2012 first team Freshman All-America honors, after compiling a 2.52 season ERA in 53.2 innings (5-3; 51 Ks and only 9 BB; .267 opp. batting avg.) while also batting .300 in that rookie season (4 HR, 43 RBI) … launched 13 home runs a a sophomore in 2013, en route to being named the all-SEC first team DH (hit .280 with 52 RBI; on the mound was 2-8 with minimal run support, 4.04, 52 Ks and 15 BB in 82.1; .301 opp. avg.) … star player at Terre Haute South High School before heading off the Lexington for his college career.
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NICK TANIELU
Washington State … 3B … Jr./So. … 5-11/200
bats: R … 3-hole … Federal Way, WA … #30

Hit over .500 (7-for-13) in season-opening series at cb360 #1 Cal State Fullerton, including combined 7-for-9 in pair of tight battles (WSU won gm-2, 9-7 in 11 innings, while the Titans rallied to win the finale, 5-4) … his week included two RBI, a pair of runs scored and two doubles … batted 4-for-6 with two runs scored, an RBI and a double in series-tying second game … hit a 1-out single and scored in decisive top of the 11th during that 9-7 win … earlier doubled and scored in WSU’s 3-run top of the 3rd (for 4-3 lead), then delivered RBI single in the 6th as Cougars stretched to 7-3 lead … closed series by batting 3-for-4 with an early RBI double in 5-4 loss (Titans took 4-3 lead in the 8th, then both teams scored a run in the 9th) … added gm-3 singles in the 6th and 8th innings, but was left stranded on third base both times … took a redshirt season in 2012 before batting .409 while playing in 32 games (29 starts) during 2013 (23 RBI, 2 HR) … product of Federal Way High School.
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ZARLEY ZALEWSKI
Kent State … DH … So. … 6-3/185
bats: switch … cleanup … New Kensington, PA … #9

Had multiple hits in each game of series at cb360 #28 Arizona, batting 6-for-11 with five RBI, two runs scored, a triple, a double and eight total times on base (with a walk and hit-by-pitch) … reached base three times (2-for-3, BB) in season-opening loss, with the rest of Kent State’s team hitting only .161 (5-for-31) with one walk … led off 4th inning of that game with a full-count leadoff triple (after fouling off seven pitches) vs. ‘Cats ace James Farris … sparked Flashes to big 14-5 win in game-2, batting 2-for-4 (plus a HBP) with 4 RBI while scoring two runs of his own … again proved to be the team’s primary bright in gm-3 loss (7-1), batting 2-for-4 with an RBI double (the other Flashes hit only 2-for-26 in gm-3) … hit .279 as a freshman in 2013 (2 HR, 21 RBI) while making 41 starts, mostly at third base … his father Ed Zalewski played baseball at Penn State … product of Valley High School.

The CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll has returned, with the headliners from the most-recent set of honorees including Oklahoma State sophomore leftfielder/catcher Gage Green (Wichita Fallas, Texas) and Northwestern sophomore righthander Brandon Magallones (Manhattan, Ill.). Green and Magallones are the top honorees for the week-13 CB360 Primetime Performers, as presented by CollegeBaseball360.com. Green is the CB360 National Primetime Player of the Week while Magallones is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week for May 6-12, 2013. They are joined by 11 others in rounding out the week-13 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll (listed below).  front-page photo courtesy of Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State so. LF/C Gage Green

Click Here for CB360 Primetime Performers archive (then scroll down)

The Primetime Performer awards program – also utilized on affiliate sites CollegeSoftball360.com, CollegeSports360.com, CollegeSoccer360.com and CollegeFencing360.com – seeks to recognize players based on more than simple raw stats, instead taking into account quality of opponent, contribution to team success and various situational factors (such as clutch play, all-around performance, leadership, adversity overcome, etc.).

Northwestern so. RHP Brandon Mgallones

The week-13 Primetime Performers list features one first baseman, a third baseman, a shortstop and a rightfielder, plus six pitchers (three RHPs, three LHPs) and three multi-positional players: Green (LF/C) along with a pair of two-way talents (see below). The 13 include two seniors, four juniors, six sophomore and one freshman. Three hail from Texas hometowns, plus one each from California, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

In addition to Green and Magallones, the other week-13 Primetime honorees include: East Tennessee State sr. RHP Kerry Doane (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) … South Alabama sr. RF Nolan Earley (Anderson, Ind.) … Georgia Tech jr. C/DH/RHP  Zane Evans (Roswell, Ga.) … Kansas State so. SS Austin Fisher (Lenexa, Kan.) … Iowa so. LHP Sasha Kuebel (St. Louis, Mo.) … Mississippi jr. RHP Mike Mayers  (Grove City, Ohio) … Texas A&M so. RHP/DH Daniel Mengden (Houston, Texas) … Bryant fr. 1B Robby Rinn (Warwick, R.I.) … Memphis jr. LHP Erik Schoenrock (Collierville, Tenn.) … Sam Houston State jr. LHP Caleb Smith (Huntsville, Texas) … and UC Irvine so. 3B Taylor Sparks (Long Beach, Calif.). 

GREEN (pictured at left) proved to be a versatile bottom-of-the lineup player while sparking Oklahoma State to a Bedlam Series win in the annual battle vs. rival and cb360 #27 Oklahoma (4-3 in Tulsa; 4-5 & 7-2 in OK City). The sophomore hit 7-for-10 in the tightly-contested series, with a couple of doubles, two RBI and three runs scored (also a walk, stolen base and sacrifice bunt). He matched his career-high with three hits in the series opener (3-for-4; RBI, R, 2B) – including a 2-out RBI single that plated the eventual winning run in the top of the 8th.

The team’s typical leftfielder, Green started game-1 behind the plate due to Victor Romero’s injury (Green had made only three previous starts at catcher). He went on to play a key role in the series-clinching second game, with a double, run, walk, stolen base and sacrifice bunt. Green smacked a leadoff double in the 8th inning of game-2 and ultimately stole home (pictured) for a valuable insurance/winning run (4-2; 4-3 final). He ended the series by batting 3-for-4 with another RBI and run.

MAGALLONES (pictured at right) went the distance in a dominant 2-hit performance, allowing only one runner past first base while leading Northwestern to a 12-1, series-tying road win vs. a CB360 #13 Indiana team bidding to become one of the 16 NCAA regional hosts. The 6-foot-3 righthander faced only 29 batters in an efficient 91-pitch outing that included no walks and two hit batters.

Over the course of his fifth complete game this season, Magallones shut down a prolific Hoosiers offense that leads the Big Ten in batting average, slugging pct., on-base pct., walks and runs. He carried a no-hitter into the 5th, after retired the first eight batters he faced and having allowed only two baserunners prior to the 6th. Magallones kept the ball in the infield for most of the game, with 23 of his 27 outs coming via strikeouts (6), groundouts (11), infield popups/foulouts (4) and the two erased baserunners (lineout double play & caught stealing).

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (2012; week-13)
(week of May 6-12, 2013 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
             “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Kerry Doane  (East Tennessee State … RHP … Sr. … 6-0/185 … Ft. Lauderdale, FL … #2)
Nolan Earley  (South Alabama … RF … Sr….6-0/200…bats: L … 5-hole hitter…Anderson, IN…#17)
Zane Evans  (Ga Tech…C/DH/RHP…Jr….6-2/220 … bats: R…cleanup/3-hole…Roswell, GA…#10)
Austin Fisher  (Kansas State … SS … So. … 6-1/195 … bats: L … 5-hole … Lenexa, KS … #3)
*Gage Green  (Oklahoma St. … C/LF…So…5-10/190…bats: L…9/7/6-hole…Wichita Falls, TX…#17)
Sasha Kuebel  (Iowa … LHP … So. … 6-1/200 … St. Louis, MO … #24)
*Brandon Magallones  (Northwestern … RHP … So. … 6-3/185 … Manhattan, IL … #18)
Mike Mayers  (Mississippi … RHP … Jr. … 6-3/205 … Grove City, OH … #28)
Daniel Mengden  (Texas A&M … RHP/DH … So. … 6-1/210 …bats: R…6-hole…Houston, TX…#15)
Robby Rinn  (Bryant … 1B … Fr. … 6-2/200 … bats: L … 7/8-hole hitter … Warwick, RI … #25)
Erik Schoenrock  (Memphis … LHP … Jr. … 6-1/200 … Collierville, TN … #13)
Caleb Smith  (Sam Houston State … LHP … Jr. … 6-2/185 … Huntsville, TX … #32)
Taylor Sparks  (UC Irvine … 3B … So. … 6-4/215 … bats: R … cleanup … Long Beach, CA … #25) 

* Green is the CB360 Primetime Performer of the Week and Magallones the Primetime Pitcher of the Week

All photos courtesy of the respective schools

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KERRY DOANE
East Tennessee State … RHP … Sr.
6-0/185 … Fr. Lauderdale, FL … #2

Intriguing success story who has excelled during his first full season as a starting pitcher … was recruited as a pitcher but ended up filling a team need as the starting shortstop over the previous three seasons, before turning his full focus to becoming a starting pitcher this season … coming off his NCAA-leading 10th complete game and fourth shutout of the season, after outdueling previously unbeaten Brandon Barker in 1-0 opener vs. current Atlantic Sun Conference leader Mercer (cb360 #24) … faced only 32 batters in that 5-hit, 5-K performance vs. the Bears, helping keep ETSU in the mix for a finish near the top of the A-Sun … limited the potent Mercer offense (51 home runs; 7.5 runs per game) to five total baserunners, with no walks or hit batters in pressure-packed game that was scoreless until ETSU’s run in the 7th … retired nine of first 10 Mercer batters he faced and then set down 13 of the final 14, handing the Bears their first shutout loss in league play this season … victorious in eight straight starts … improved to 11-1 while becoming the first A-Sun pitcher to post 11-plus wins in a season since former Florida Gulf Coast standout and current Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale had 11 wins in 2010 … the pitchers duel vs. Mercer marked only the third 1-0 win by an ETSU team since 1992 (first since ’05) … tied for third nationally in wins and owns half of ETSU’s conference victories (7 of 14) … has compiled a 2.15 ERA, with a 3.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio (61/16) and nine more innings pitched (113) than hits allowed (102; .246 batting) … has pitched 109 of the 117 total innings in his 13 starts … his 10 complete games are one shy of tying the ETSU season record (also two wins shy of matching that record), while his four shutouts already are tied for the Bucs season/career record … classic “bulldog” pitcher who also is known for his tremendous leadership and team focus … pitched only 56 innings in 2012, mostly as a reliever (18 appearances, six of them starts; 4 wins & 4 saves; 8.3 K-to-BB ratio) … had 14 multi-hit games as a junior (48 starts as a position player), one year after starting 56 games at shortstop in 2011 (.278, 5 HR, 28 RBI, only 7 IP) … named to 2010 Atlantic Sun Conf. All-Freshman Team (hit .335 with 9 HR, 23 doubles and 58 RBI) … member of Nova High School’s 2007 Floridas state championship team (class 5A).

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NOLAN EARLEY
South Alabama … RF … Sr. … 6-0/200
bats: L … 5-hole hitter … Anderson, IN … #17    

Veteran outfielder who hit .500 (8-for-16) during key week for Jaguars squad closing in on Sun Belt Conference title and looking to remain in mix for one of the 16 Regional host spots … factored into 11 of his team’s runs (7 RBI, 5 R, HR) in 3-1 week that included 9-0 midweek win over Southland Conference title contender Southeastern Louisiana and crucial series win at SBC 2nd-place team cb360 #36 Louisiana-Lafayette (9-6, 9-5, 7-17) … compiled a 1.368 OPS spanning the four games (.555 on-base pct., plus .813 slugging; HR, 2 2B, 2 BB) and did not strike out during the four games … hit 6-for-9 in first two games of the week, including 3-for-4 in shutout win over the Lions (2 RBI, 2 R, 2B, BB) … opened series at ULL by batting 3-for-5 with a home run, double, 3 RBI and a pair of runs scored … added an RBI single in series-clinching second game (BB) … closed week with another RBI single, plus a walk and run scored, in gm-3 at ULL (also fired an outfield assist for a 9-3 lineout double play) … third-year starter who currently ranks third on team with .325 batting avg., plus team-best 53 RBI (2 HR, 18 2B) … has eight more walks this season (32) than strikeouts (24) … product of Anderson (Ind.) High School.

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ZANE EVANS
Georgia Tech … C/DH/RHP … Jr. … 6-2/220
bats: R … cleanup/3-hole … Roswell, GA … #10

Proved his value as a clutch top two-way players during week that included split at NCAA hopeful Ohio State (cb360 #50; 9-2, 2-3) and huge series win vs. top-ranked North Carolina (5-4, 1-3, 9-8 in 12), helping team end 2-8 skid prior to OSU games … hit 9-for-24 (.375) during the week (5 RBI, R, HR, 2B) – capped by UNC series-finale heroics that included 2-out RBI single in 3-run bottom of the 9th (forcing extra innings), the winning single in the 12th and closing that game on the mound with three shutout innings (3K, BB, 10 BF) … had an RBI double in win at Ohio State, adding pair of hits in second game vs. the Buckeyes … played huge role in series-opening win vs. UNC, batting 4-for-4 with 2-run blast in 4-run bottom of the 3rd … second on team with .366 season batting avg., 14 home runs and 59 RBI (also has three saves and a 3.86 ERA in 16.1 innings) … named to 2012 ACC All-Tournament Team and a 2011 Freshman All-American … product of Roswell (Ga.) High School … uncle Ed Barney played for the Cincinnati Reds.

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AUSTIN FISHER 
Kansas State … SS … So. … 6-1/195 
bats: L … 5-hole hitter … Lenexa, KS … #3  

Emerging talent in the middle infield who extended his hitting streak to 17 games (5-for-13) during series sweep at in-state rival and NCAA hopeful Kansas (4-3, 9-6, 7-3) … factored into eight of the K-State runs (5 RBI, 4 R, HR, 2 2B) at KU,  including a 2-run, 9th-inning blast that provided the winning margin in the game-2 comeback from an early 6-0 deficit … did not commit an error throughout the series, spanning 17 fielding chances … doubled and added a key sacrifice fly in tight series-opening win … his big effort in game-2 (2-for-5, 3 RBI, 3 R) included the biggest hit of the series: pulling a 1-out, 0-2 pitch from the Big 12’s top pitcher Jordan Piché and homering over the rightfield fence for an 8-6 lead in the 9th (9-6 comeback fro m 0-6) … also had an RBI single in the 2-run top of the 7th that tied the game (6-6) … closed series by batting 2-for-4 with another double, a walk and a 9th-inning RBI single … owns longest active hitting streak (17) in the Big 12, longest by a K-State player since 2010 and 9th-longest in program history … leads the Big 12 with a .415 batting batting avg. in conference play (nearly 50 points ahead of the next player) … batting team-best .358 overall (4th among Big 12 players), with a league-best 12 doubles (second on team with 33 RBI) …  product of Olathe (Kan.) Northwest High School … father David Fisher played five season of professional baseball (reaching triple-A), as did a grandfather and uncle.

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GAGE GREEN
Oklahoma State … LF/C … So. … 5-10/190
bats: L … 9/7/6-hole hitter … Wichita Falls, TX … #17

Versatile bottom-of-the lineup player who led Oklahoma State to Bedlam Series win in annual battle vs. rival and cb360 #27 Oklahoma (4-3 in Tulsa; 4-5 & 7-2 in OK City) … hit 7-for-10 in the tightly-contested series, with a couple doubles, two RBI and three runs scored (also a walk, stolen base and sac. bunt) … matched career-high with three hits in series opener (3-for-4; RBI, R, 2B) – including 2-out RBI single that plated eventual winning run in top of the 8th … started gm-1 behind the plate due to Victor Romero’s injury … typically starts in left field, with only three previous starts at catcher … played key role in gm-2 (1-2, R, BB, 2B, SAC, SB), with leadoff double in the 8th before ultimately stealing home (pictured) for valuable insurance/winning run (4-2; 4-3 final) … ended series by batting 3-for-4 with another RBI and run scored … fourth on team with .305 batting avg. (30 RBI, 2 HR, team-best 13 stolen bases) … played for his father Scott Green at Rider High School.

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SASHA KUEBEL
Iowa … LHP … So. 
6-1/200 … St. Louis, MO … #24 

Overcame disappointing 2013 season to deliver eight strong innings in tightly-contested game-2 (a 2-1 victory) vs. cb360 #43 NCAA hopeful Michigan State … allowed the lone run in marathon 122-pitch outing while working around seven hits, one walk and a hit batter (with three srtikeouts) … opened the game with seven straight shutout innings … benefitted from keeping the ball low, as 19 of his 24 outs came via groundballs (15), strikouets (3) or infield popups (1) … overcame a teammate’s 7th-inning dropped flyout in the 7th, stranding a pair of runner to preserve the 1-0 lead … his clutch victory delivered Iowa’s first Big Ten series victory of the season (the Hawkeyes entered the series 17-26 overall and 5-13 in league play) … had won only one of his previous nine decisions this season (1-8), after earning Freshman All-America and second team all-Big Ten honors in 2012 (2.67, 6-0, 36 K/15BB, .241 opp. batting in 87.2 IP) … named Missouri state pitcher of the year while starring for University of St. Louis High School.

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BRANDON MAGALLONES
Northwestern … RHP … So.
6-3/185 … Manhattan, IL … #18

Went the distance in dominant 2-hit performance (allowed only one runner past first base) while leading Wildcats to 12-1, series-tying road win vs. a CB360 #13 Indiana team bidding to become one of 16 NCAA regional hosts … faced only 29 batters in efficient 91-pitch outing that included no walks and two hit batters … shut down prolific Hoosiers offense that led the Big Ten in batting average, slugging pct., on-base pct., walks and runs … carried a no-hitter into the 5th, after having allowed only two baserunners to that point (retired first eight) … kept the ball in the infield, with 23 of his 27 outs coming via Ks (6), groundouts (11), infield popups/foulouts (4) and the two erased baserunners (lineout double play & caught stealing) … allowed only one runner to reach second base (on Kyle Schwarber’s 13th home run trot of the season) … owns a 3.48 ERA and 5-5 record in 77.1 innings (45 K, 23 BB, 78 H/.257 opp. avg.) … Chicago-area product from Providence Catholic High School.

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MIKE MAYERS
Mississippi … RHP … Jr. 
6-3/205 … Grove City, OH … #28 

Rose to the occasion after taking the mound to start resumed series opener vs. rival Mississippi State (cb360 #12), as the Rebels overcame the lost impact of ace Bobby Wahl (who had pitched only one inning the previous night before the game was halted) … matched his season-high with a 7-inning outing in 3-0 win vs. the Bulldogs, facing only 25 batters with two hits, a pair of walks and a hit batter (five Ks) … allowed only one baserunner past second base (only three in scoring position) … rolled up a timely bases-loaded double play in the 3rd and then retired 12 of his final 13 batters faced (handing off the 3-0 lead to closer  Brett Huber for the 9th) … his big-game performance set the tone for the Rebels series win and near-sweep (3-0, 10-8, 6-7) while lifting Ole Miss into 5th in the SEC overall standings … product of Grove City (Ohio) High School.

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DANIEL MENGDEN
Texas A&M … RHP/DH … So.
6-1/210 … bats: R … 6-hole hitter … Houston, TX … #15

Tw0-way starter who delivered a much-needed, resume-boosting victory for the Aggies, after logging eight impressive innings in 2-1 victory over one of college baseball’s elite teams (cb360 #3 LSU) … limited the potent LSU offense to five hits (three singles and two doubles) … struck out five and did not issue a walk en route to logging his second consecutive 8-inning, 1-run outing (beat Missouri by the same 2-1 score the previous week) … faced more than four batters in an inning only once, highlighted by four 1-2-3 innings … induced a double-play ball back to the mound to end a runners-on-the-corners threat in the 4th … pitched under the pressure of a series opener that was scoreless entering the 6th (his only run support did not come until the 7th, with the pair of runs) … also hit 2-for-7 as the Aggies DH during the series, with a solo home run in the game-2 loss (7-4) … dropped his ERA to 2.01 (9th-best in the Big 12) spanning 89.1 innings, with a 6-3 record and a 4.2 K-to-walk ratio (76/18) and nearly 30 more innings pitched than hits allowed (60) … his .192 opp. batting avg. is 5th-best among Big 12 pitchers … batting .275 (14 RBI, 3 HR, 2 3B, 2 2B) … earned All-America honors as a pitcher at Houston-area Westlake High School.

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ROBBY RINN
Bryant … 1B … Fr. … 6-2/200 
bats: L … 7/8-hole hitter … Warwick, RI … #25 

Surging rookie who hit .462 (6-for-13) and made several impactful defensive plays at second base, as league-leading Bryant held off Northeast Conference perennial power and 2013 title contender Monmouth in 4-game series(1-4, 9-0, 4-3, 7-3 … helped Bryant inch closer to NEC title in its first season as a full member of the conference (previous played as transitional NEC team), in first official DI season … collected hits in all four games of the series while providing timely roles on four runs (2 RBI, 2R) and striking out only once all week … hit 2-for-3 with (RBI, R) in 9-0 win that quickly offset series-opening loss … made a pair of huge, back-to-back defensive plays in 4th inning of that gm-2 victory (with Bulldogs leading only 1-0): first on a based-loaded situation (groundball backhander led to 3-2 double play) and then by picking out a tough ball in the dirt (shortstop had gone deep in the hole) to save a run … Bryant went on to score seven runs the next inning to break the game open … later that day in second game of doubleheader (7-inn. game), singled and scored winning run in bottom of the 7th (minutes after Monmouth had tied the score) … played lead role in series-clinching finale (7-3), batting 2-for-3 with an RBI and base on balls … ended Monmouth series riding a 10-game hitting streak (14-for-32/.438, with 14 RBI) … batting .294 for the season (22 RBI, 5 2B, 12 BB) … product of Providence-area Moss Brown School and post-graduate Worcester Academy.

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ERIK SCHOENROCK
Memphis … LHP … Jr.
6-1/200 … Collierville, TN … #13

Extended his streak of not allowing an earned run   to 18 innings while posting series-clinching, 3-1 win at CB360 #22 Rice … logged his second straight complete game in the clutch performance vs. the perennial national power Owls, as Tigers continued their climb up the Conference USA standings … did not allow an earned run (unearned run in the 6th) while facing only 33 batters in the 115-pitch outing, with seven strikeouts, six hits allowed and one walk … 21 of his 27 outs came via Ks (7), groundouts (10), infield popups (2) and two erased baserunners (caught stealing and a 1-3 pickoff) … did not receive any run support until the 6th (0-0 through 5) … Rice’s score in the 6th was his first run allowed in 15.2 innings … allowed only three runners into scoring position … his fifth complete game of the season lowered his ERA to 2.45 to go along with a 7-3 record and 3.3 K-to-walk ratio (79/24) and 24 more innings pitched (91.2) than hits allowed (68; lowly .208 opp. batting average) … played at Collierville (Tenn.) High School for current Memphis head coach Jeff Hopkins.
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CALEB SMITH 
Sam Houston State … LHP … Jr. 
6-2/185 … Huntsville, TX … #32 

Faced only 30 batters en route to 3-0 shutout, as Bearkats posted game-2, series-clinching road win over fellow Southland Conference title contender Southeastern Louisiana … had only three strikeouts (also only one walk) but pitched around a pair of Sam Houston errors … induced a pair of timely double-play balls, part of his 17 outs recorded via groundballs (two other outs stayed in the infield, on a lineup and popup) … did not allow a runner into scoring position (none reached third) until the 8th inning … the only Lions runners that reached second base both did so courtesy of errors (in the 8th and 9th), one of them quickly followed by game-ending double play … logged five 1-2-3 innings … impressively has held opposing hitters to a combined sub-.200 batting avg. (.189) while fashioning a 2.84 ERA and 7-4 record (64 K/50BB, 50 H in 76 IP) … product of Huntsville High School.

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TAYLOR SPARKS 
UC Irvine … 3B … So. … 6-4/215
bats: R … cleanup batter … Long Beach, CA … #25

Continued to swing a hot bat during key series win vs. cb360 #28 Cal Poly (7-1, 3-4, 11-1), as bubble team Irvine registered a much-need pair of quality wins … hit .538 (7-for-13) in the Cal Poly series with 14 total bases (1.077 slugging pct.) … factored into eight runs vs. the Mustangs (4 RBI, 4 R, HR) while hitting for the cycle over the course of the series (HR, 3B, 2 2B) … 3-for-5 effort in the series opener (2 RBI, 2 R) included his ninth home run of the season and team-leading fourth triple … stroked RBI double and also had a walk and scored a run in narrow game-2 loss … capped series with another 3-for-5 day (RBI, R, 2B) … ranks second among Big West hitters in batting avg. (.363) and is the league’s slugging pct. leader (.363), also leading UCI with 43 RBI … product of St. John Bosco High School.

Central Arkansas senior catcher Michael Marietta  (Oak View, Calif.) and Vanderbilt junior lefthander Kevin Ziomek  (Amherst, Mass.) are the top honorees for the week-4 CB360 Primetime Performers, as presented by CollegeBaseball360.com. Marietta is the CB360 National Primetime Player of the Week while Ziomek is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week for March 4-10, 2013. They are joined by eight others in comprising the week-4 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll (listed below).  front-page photo courtesy of Vanderbilt

Central Arkansas senior catcher Michael Marietta

Previous 2013 Primetime Performers Releases:
Week-1  |  Week-3  |  Week-3
Click Here for CB360 Primetime Performers archive (then scroll down)

The Primetime Performer awards program – also utilized on affiliate sites CollegeSoftball360.com, CollegeSports360.com, CollegeSoccer360.com and CollegeFencing360.com – seeks to recognize players based on more than simple raw stats, instead taking into account quality of opponent, contribution to team success and various situational factors (such as clutch play, all-around performance, leadership, adversity overcome, etc.).

Vanderbilt junior lefthander Kevin Ziomek

The week-4 Primetime Performers list features three catchers among the four position players on the list, with Marietta joined by Clemson sophomore signalcaller Garrett Boulware (Anderson, S.C) and Indiana sophomore C/LF Kyle Schwarber (Middleton, Ohio).  Ziomik is one of two lefthanded pitchers among the honorees, along with Auburn junior reliever Conner Kendrick (Gulf Shores, Ala.). The honor also includes three righthanded starters – Michigan State junior David Garner (Niles, Mich.), Seton Hall senior Jon Prosinski (Skillman, N.J.) and UNLV sophomore John Richy (Golden, Colo.). Notre Dam junior closer Dan Slania (Tucson, Ariz.) and Illinois sophomore rightfielder Will Krug (Park Ridge, Ill.).

Veteran Michael Marietta led Central Arkansas, both offensively and behind the plate, during the series win at previously unbeaten Mississippi State.

MARIETTA hit 7-for-15 (.467) while having a hand in eight of the Central Arkansas runs (5RBI-4R-HR) during 3-1 week that included winning the series at previously unbeaten Mississippi State (cb360 #5; 2-4, 7-5 in 10 inn., 7-3), amidst the challenging atmosphere of Dudy-Noble Field. The senior catcher had hits, RBI and runs scored in all four games during the week (including a 10-1 win at Grambling). Marietta reached base 11 times spanning the four games (with two walks and two times hit-by-pitch) and hit for the cycle during the series at Mississippi State, with 13 total bases for the week.

The veteran signalcaller continued to direct an experienced pitching staff that has been a key component to UCA’s early-season success. He  hit 6-for-12 in the series at Mississippi State (4 RBI, 3R, HR, 3B, 2B, 2 HBP), smacking his first home run of the season (vs. closer Jonathan Holder) in the series opener before playing a lead role in the game-2 win (2-for-5; 2RBI-R-2B-HBP). Marietta helped UCA quickly answer the Bulldogs’ pair of runs in the bottom of the 9th, with his full-count, RBI single in the 10th ultimately producing the game-2 win. He closed the series by going 3-for-4 in the finale (RBI-R-3B-HBP).

Kevin Ziomek fashioned a dominant 2-hitter in Vanderbilt’s series opener at Oregon.

ZIOMEK rose to the challenge as Vanderbilt’s game-1 pitcher in the trip to the Pacific Northwest, fashioning a dominant 2-hitter as the Commodores won 4-1 at cb360 #14 Oregon and went on to take the tough road series. The lefthander struck out every Oregon starter except 6-hole batter Ryan Hambright, totaling 13 Ks en route to his second straight complete game. Ziomek issued only one walk and also a hit a batter, with an efficient 31 batters faced and 117 pitches (80 for strikes). He allowed a double and a walk in the first inning before retiring 25 of his final 27 batters faced. Oregon’s lone run came on Ryon Healy’s home run leading off the bottom of the 4th, followed by nine straight Ducks batters retired, the HBP, and then nine straight outs from Ziomek to end the series opener.

CB360 PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (2012; #4)
(week of March 4-10, 2013 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)
             “It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Garrett Boulware  (Clemson … C … So … 6-1/200 … bats: R… 6-hole/cleanup… Anderson, SC… #30)
David Garner  (Michigan State … RHP … Jr. … 5-11/175 … Niles, MI … #16)
Conner Kendrick  (Auburn … LHP … Jr. … 6-0/195 … Gulf Shores, AL … #13)
Will Krug  (Illinois … RF/DH … So. … 5-8/155 … bats: R … leadoff … Park Ridge, IL … #40)
*Michael Marietta  (Central Arkansas… C… Sr… 6-0/175 … bats: R … 2-hole … Oak View, CA … #27)
Jon Prosinski  (Seton Hall … RHP … Sr. … 6-3/180 … Skillman, NJ … #29)
John Richy  (UNLV … RHP … So. … 6-4/220 … Golden, CO … #45)
Kyle Schwarber  (Indiana … C/LF … So. … 6-0/235 … bats: L … 2-hole … Middleton, OH … #10)
Dan Slania  (Notre Dame … RHP/reliever … Jr. … 6-5/275 … Tucson, AZ … #40)
*Kevin Ziomek  (Vanderbilt … LHP … Jr. … 6-3/200 … Amherst, MA … #35)

* Marietta is the CB360 Primetime Performer of the Week and Ziomek the Primetime Pitcher of the Week

All photos courtesy of the respective schools

GARRETT BOULWARE
Clemson … C … So … 6-1/200 … bats: R
6-hole/cleanup … Anderson, SC … #30

Provided key production from bottom half of the lineup during 3-1 week that included winning ACC opening series at cb360 #9 North Carolina State … hit 5-for-1o versus Wolpack, reaching base eight times while factoring into eight of the Tigers runs (5RBI-3R-HR) during the series … led the charge vs. NC State ace Carlos Rodon, as Clemson chased the hard-throwing left-handed in the 5th during 10-5 opener … hit 4-for-5 with 5 RBI and 3 runs scored in that game-1, as Tigers stunningly erased a 4-0 deficit with three runs in the 4th and five in the 5th … stroked RBI single in the 4th, than drive 3-run HR over leftfield fence in the 5th (Rodon departed moments later, his final line was “crazy 8s” – 4.1IP-8R-8H-3BB-8K) … walked three times and scored a run in game-2 win (7-4), adding a double in series finale (4-1 loss) … leads team with .333 batting avg. and pair of home runs (11 RBI, 8 runs, 4 doubles, 4 walks) … product of Hanna High School … his brother Ben is a linebacker has signed to play football at Clemson starting in the fall of 2013.

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DAVID GARNER
Michigan State … RHP … Jr.
5-11/175 … Niles, MI … #16

Shut down host team Kentucky (cb360 #10) in game-2 of series, nearly going the distance (8.1) while yielding a lone run and only four hits in MSU’s 6-1 upset – after facing the nation’s top-scoring team (10.3 runs/gm) that owned a .324 team batting avg. (the ‘Cats hit only .133 vs. Garner) … was working on a shutout vs. once-beaten Kentucky, until Paul McGonkey’s solo home run in the 8th … retired first 11 batters he faced, carried a no-hitter into the 5th and logged five 1-2-3 innings (all in the first seven frames) … did not allow a baserunner until a 2-out walk in the 4th (his only free pass of the game) … 19 of his outs came via strikeouts (6), groundouts (9) or popups/foulouts (4) … did not allow a baserunner into scoring position until the 8th … was in control throughout the 108-pitch outing, consistently working ahead in the count while locating three pitches for strikes and touching the low-90s with his fastball … has compiled 3.42 season ERA and 3-0 record in 26.1 innings, with a 4.4 K-to-walk ratio (22/5) and .245 opp. batting avg. (25 H) … was a three-sport star at Niles High School.

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CONNER KENDRICK
Auburn … LHP … Jr. … 6-0/195
Gulf Shores, AL … #13

Delivered out of the bullpen in a big way during annual Capital City Classic game vs. rival Alabama (cb360 #29) in Montgomery, entering in the 4th and closing the game with six no-hit, shutout innings as Tigers posted 6-3 comeback win (Auburn;s fifth straight win in the CCC game) … inherited runners on the corners with no outs in the 4th and limited the damage, with one run scoring courtesy of an error to give Tide 3-1 lead … faced only 21 batters (three over the minimum, with two reaching on errors) while registering 14 of his 18 outs in strikeouts (8, most by any Auburn pitcher this season) or groundouts (6) … Alabama managed only two baserunners from the 5th-9th innings (none in 8th or 9th) … showed consistent mix of three quality pitches … has yet to be charged with a run allowed (earned or unearned) all season in 16.1 innings, with a 5.4 K-to-walk ratio (22/5) and a lowly .077 opp. batting avg. (4 H) … transfer from Northwest Florida State JC, after playing limited role at Georgia Tech in 2011 … product of Northgate High School … brother Catlan is a senior pitcher at Kennesaw State.

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WILL KRUG
Illinois … RF/DH … So. … 5-8/155
bats: R … leadoff … Park Ridge, IL … #40

Table setter who hit 7-for-13 (.539), reached base eight times and scored five times, as Illini completed sweep at cb360 #48 Baylor (4-3, 5-4 in 11 inn., 6-1) to move into the current top-50 … had pair of doubles plus an RBI, walk, sacrifice bunt and stolen base during the series … doubled to open the series and scored on Michael Hurwitz home run moments later … drew leadoff walk during decisive top of the 9th in series opener, coming around to score tying run (Illini then plated the gamewinner) … went on to hit 3-for-6 with a double and two runs scored in game-2 (another narrow win) and closed series batting 3-for-4 with an RBI, run, sac. bunt and stolen base … second on team with .375 batting avg. and 14 runs scored (RBI, 2 doubles, 2 walks, 4 stolen bases) … product of Maine South High School.

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MICHAEL MARIETTA
Central Arkansas … C … Sr. … 6-0/175
bats: R … 2-hole … Oak View, CA … #27

Hit 7-for-15 (.467) while having a hand in eight of UCA’s runs (5RBI-4R-HR) during 3-1 week that included winning series at previously unbeaten Mississippi State (cb360 #5; 2-4, 7-5 in 10 inn., 7-3), amidst the challenging atmosphere of Dudy-Noble Field … had hits, RBI and runs scored in all four games during the week (including 10-1 game at Grambling) … reached base 11 times spanning the four games (2 BB, 2 HBP) and hit for the cycle during series at Mississippi State, with 13 total bases for the week … veteran signalcaller who continued to direct experienced pitching staff that has been a key component to UCA’s early-season success … hit 6-for-12 in the series at Mississippi State (4 RBI, 3R, HR, 3B, 2B, 2 HBP) … smacking his first home run of the season (vs. closer Jonathan Holder) in the series opener before playing lead role in game-2 win (2-for-5; 2RBI-R-2B-HBP) … helped UCA quickly answer the Bulldogs’ pair of runs in the bottom of the 9th, with full-count, RBI single in the 10th to produce the game-2 win … closed series by going 3-for-4 in the finale (RBI-R-3B-HBP) … batting .351 for the season with a .474 on-base pct. (10 BB, 6 HBP), 19 RBI and 20 runs scored (9 doubles) for UCA team that improved to 14-2 and moved into the national rankings (the Bears were picked to finish fifth this season amidst a talented Southland Conference field that includes newcomer Oral Roberts) … product of St. Bonaventure High School … father Mike played basketball at Cal Poly.

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JON PROSINSKI
Seton Hall … RHP … Sr.
6-3/180 … Skillman, NJ … #29

Went the distance opposite Pepperdine ace and elite pro prospect Scott Frazier, leading Pirates to first win of season in series opener on the road vs. the cb360 #47 Waves (who posted their own noteworthy road wins earlier this season vs. Texas A&M and Oklahoma) … scattered six hits and did not walk a batter, while avoiding any major trouble in the 6-2 win … kept the ball while inducing 16 groundouts to go along with four strikeouts (plus one infield popup) … half of the six hits he allowed came in the 7th, when the Waves scored their only runs … closed game with seven straight outs (two Ks. four groundouts and the infield popup) … outside of the 7th inning, he allowed only one runner into scoring position and totaled five 1-2-3 innings (spanning the 4th-9th) in the 109-pitch outing … retired 11 straight from the 3rd-6th innings … preseason BIG EAST pitcher of the year who struggled earlier in the season, now owning a 4.15 ERA amd 4.8 K-to-walk ratio (19/4) plus a .202 opp. batting avg. in 26 innings (18 H) … a first team all-BIG EAST performer in 2012 … product Montgomery High School.

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JOHN RICHY
UNLV … RHP … So.
6-4/220 … Golden, CO … #45

Completed UNLV’s series sweep at cb360 #8 Stanford by going the distance in 5-1 win, with the lone run coming unearned … faced only 30 batters, with two hits allowed and no walks or hit batters … his third baserunner allowed came on a two-base infield error in the 4th (when Stanford scored without a hit, as the runner advanced on a groundout and sacrifice fly) … located 67 of his 98 pitches for strikes, with four strikeouts … held Stanford’s 1-thru-7 spots in the lineup to a combined 1-for-23 hitting day (one of the Cardinals’ top hitters, Austin Wilson, missed the game due to injury) … logged six 1-2-3 innings, allowed only two runners into scoring position and retired the final 12 batters he faced … his impressive outing helped extend UNLV’s winning streak to nine games and lift the Rebels into the national rankings for the first time in 10 years … owns a 2.96 ERA and 2-2 record, with 14 walks and six walks in 27.1 innings (22 hits; .210 pop. batting avg.) … product of Golden High School.

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KYLE SCHWARBER
Indiana … C/LF … So. … 6-0/235
bats: L … 2-hole … Middleton, OH … #10

Collected hits and key plays early and often during series at cb360 #30 Florida, batting at a .714 clip (10-for-14; RBI-4R) as the Big Ten favorite Hoosiers took 2-of-3 from the Gators (4-1, 4-6, 7-4) … registered hits, RBI and runs during each of the three games … had a 1.000 slugging pct. during the series (HR, 2B) and reached base 11 total times, including five trips on-base in the opener with 4-for-4 batting and a walk (RBI, R) … had two more hits, plus and RBI and run, during game-2 before huge effort in the series-deciding third game (4-for-5; 2 RBI, 2 R, HR, 2B) that saw IU leading 6-0 entering the 8th inning … struck out only once during the series, while batting out of the 2-hole … returned from Florida with .471 season batting avg. that was best by any Big Ten player … his current season stats include team bests in RBI (15), home runs (3) and runs (15), plus four doubles and six walks … earned Freshman All-America and second team all-Big Team honors as a freshman in 2012 … product of Middletown High School.

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DAN SLANIA
Notre Dame … RHP/reliever … Jr.
6-5/275 … Tucson, AZ … #40
(note – larger headshot to be added)

Imposing closer, checking in at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, who has emerged as one of the top relief pitchers and MLB prospects in the college game – despite being unheralded out of high school … Arizona native who returned to the southwest last week at UCLA tournament and rose to the challenge in impressive fashion, posting a save and 3.1-inning relief win during pair of 1-run thrillers, while allowing no runs and three total baserunners spanning 5.1 total innings (3 hits, 3 strikeouts, only 18 batters faced and 49 total pitches) … entered USC game with Irish clinging to a 2-1 lead – less than 24 hours after ND suffered a heartbreaking 2-1, 10-ining loss to the host Bruins – and retired first four batters he faced before a pair of 1-out singles in the 9th (one hit to the left side of the infield) … ended USC game by inducing a double-play, bunt popup back to the mound … followed that save with the long-relief win vs. cb360 #15 Oklahoma (6-5, in 10 innings) … faced only 11 OU batters in the 3.1 innings (H-2K, 30 pitches) … entered that game in the 8th with a runner on second, forcing a flyout for the third out (ND later tied it in the bottom of the 9th, after his clutch 1-2-3 top of the inning ) … allowed a 20out single in the 10th but left the runner stranded, setting up ND’s winning rally … has yet to allow a run all season, spanning 13.1 innings with 10 strikeouts, only two walks and five hits allowed (all singles; .116 pop. batting avg.) … his six appearances have produced three saves and a 2-0 record … led the prestigious Cape Cod League during the summer of 2012 with 10 saves, en route to earning the Russ Ford Award as the CCL’s top reliever … product of Salpointe Catholic High School.

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KEVIN ZIOMEK
Vanderbilt … LHP … Jr.
6-3/200 … Amherst, MA … #35

Rose to the challenge as game-1 pitcher in trip to Pacific Northwest, fashioning a dominant 2-hitter as the Commodores won 4-1 at cb360 #14 Oregon and went on to take the tough road series … struck out every Oregon starter except 6-hole batter Ryan Hambright, totaling 13 Ks en route to his second straight complete game … issued only one walk and also a hit a batter, with an efficient 31 batters faced and 117 pitches (80 for strikes) … allowed a double and walk in the first inning before retiring 25 of his final 27 batters faced … Oregon’s lone run came on Ryon Healy’s home run leading off the bottom of the 4th (followed by nine straight Ducks batters retired, the HBP, and then nine straight outs from him to end the game) … has allowed only one run (while racking up 28 Ks) spanning his past two starts, both complete games … returned from Oregon having lowered his ERA to 0.87, with 15 more strikeouts (46) than innings pitched (31; also 7 walks and 12 hits allowed/.102 opp. batting avg.) … collected Freshman All-America honors in 2011 … prep All-American while starring for Amherst High School.