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Warner Jones Named National Hitter of the Week 3/30/2004
Warner Jones Named National Hitter of the Week CHICAGO — The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released its National Hitter and Pitcher of the Week awards for the period ending March 30, today. Vanderbilts’s sophomore second baseman Warner Jones has been named National Hitter of the Week, while Creighton senior RHP Steve Grasley and junior RHP Jered Weaver were named National Co-Pitchers of the Week. The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season. Jones owned a .737 batting average in four games, helping lead Vanderbilt to a 4-0 record for the week, including a 3-0 sweep over No. 24 Georgia. He went 14-19 at the plate with six doubles, one triple and one home run. He was also 1-1 in stolen bases. The Nashville, Tenn., native, extended his consecutive game hitting streak to 30 games and set the school record in game one vs. Georgia (28). He is one hit shy of tying the SEC record in consecutive seasons (31 by Rex Buckner of Mississippi State – 1992-93). Down 5-3 to the Bulldogs in Game Three, Jones cleared the bases with a three-run double to center field giving VU its first lead of the game, 6-5. In the Georgia series, Jones went 10-14 for a .714 batting average with five doubles, one triple and seven RBI. Grasley, Creighton’s closer turned ace starter, turned in an outstanding performance in the MVC opener against SMS. He pitched a 10-inning complete-game, three-hit shutout as the Bluejays defeated the defending regular season champions and 2003 College World Series participants in the Bears, 2-0 in 10 innings. The Shoreview, Minn., native, struck out a season-high 12, just two shy of his career high, and walked just two in throwing 121 pitches over the 10 innings. He had a no-hitter through five innings and also faced the minimum through five before allowing a leadoff single in the sixth. Only two runners advanced beyond first base, both coming with two outs and both were quickly stranded. Grasley set down the side in order in seven of the 10 innings, with a double play aiding him in the fifth after he walked the leadoff man. With the win, Grasley lowered his ERA to 2.44, a team best, and also won his fourth straight decision to improve to 5-2 He leads the team in wins, ERA, strikeouts (48), and innings pitched (48), while opposing hitters are batting just .223 off him. Weaver tied LBSU’s single-game record for strikeouts, striking out 16 of a possible 18 outs. He struck out the first five before being broken up by one of two singles given up. The Simi Valley, Calif., native’s first 11 outs were by strikeouts, as well as 13 of first 14. A foul popup to first and a caught stealing was the only other damage for the All-American. He had 95 pitches of which 65 were strikes. He now has 21.0 consecutive scoreless innings and is 8-0 with a 0.64 ERA over 56.2 IP, striking out 89 and walking eight with opponents batting .118. For more information contact NCBWA Vice-President Mike Montoro (601-266-5947, michael.montoro@usm.edu). PREVIOUS WINNERS: Pitcher of the Week – Feb. 9 – Jered Weaver, Long Beach State, Feb. 16 – David Purcey, Oklahoma; Feb. 23 – Adam Gold, Cal, Jason Urquidez, Arizona State; Mar. 2 – Derek Duclos, Richmond, Derek Hankins, Memphis; March 9 – Clay Dirks, LSU, Jim Ripley, Kansas State; March 16 – Cliff Russum, Southern Miss; March 23 – Matt Daley, Bucknell; Jarame Beaupre, Delaware Transactions – NCBWA named Vanderbilt’s sophomore second baseman Warner Jones National Hitter of the Week and Creighton senior RHP Steve Grasley and Long Beach State junior RHP Jered Weaver National Co-Pitchers of the Week. |
