Time once again for our look at some of the top single-game performances of the week in D1 college baseball – the nominees for HERO of the Week!
The only way to vote is in the polls at the bottom of each section. Once you’ve made your voice heard, share with friends so they can vote as well and check back next week to see who won. Polls close Tuesday at noon Pacific, so be sure to get your vote in on time!
If you know of a player you think we should include next week, let us know! Nominate a player by sending an email with “D1 Baseball HERO” in the subject line tostories@herosports.com, or tweet us your nomination @HEROSportsNews with the hashtag #D1BBHERO.
With 56 percent of last week's vote, you chose Jeremy Montalbano of BR-31 Tulane as your D1 Baseball Offensive HERO of the Week! Montalbano won the award after he hit three home runs in a single game — a 7-1 win over BR-164 South Florida. It was the first time a Green Wave player smacked three dingers in a game since 2009.
On the flip side, you chose Brandon Schlimm of BR-218 St. Bonaventure as your D1 Baseball Pitching HERO of the Week with almost 61 percent of the vote. Schlimm struck out 12 batters in 8.1 innings of work in a shutout victory over BR-273 George Mason to earn the award. It was the most K's a Bonnie pitcher put up in a game this season.
Congrats to Jeremy and Brandon!
Now, on to this week's nominees…
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Offense
Courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast Athletics
TYLER SELESKY
BR-131 FLORIDA GULF COAST: Selesky went 4 for 5 at the plate with a grand slam and six RBIs in a win last week over BR-181 Lipscomb. [divider]
Courtesy of Saint Joseph's Athletics
DEON STAFFORD
BR-123 SAINT JOSEPH'S: Stafford smacked three home runs – in one contest – in a 7-6 win over BR-221 Fordham. He had four RBIs.
CODY THOMAS
BR-41 OKLAHOMA: Thomas went 2 for 5 at the plate with a home run and five RBIs in a 9-1 win over BR-22 Oklahoma State. [divider]
Courtesy of Cal Poly Athletic Department
JOHN SCHUKNECHT
BR-101 CAL POLY: Schunecht smacked a grand slam and had six RBIs in a 17-5 win over BR-99 UC-Irvine. [divider]
Courtesy of Middle Tennessee Athletics
BLAKE BENEFIELD
BR-183 MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Benefield drove in the runs in bunches last week in a 10-5 victory over BR-114 Old Dominion. He had seven RBIs in that game.
Who was the D1 Baseball Offensive HERO of the Week?
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Pitching
TYLER WILSON
BR-184 RHODE ISLAND: A routine visitor on this list, Wilson took a no-hitter into the eighth inning while striking out 13 batters in a start last week against BR-245 UMass. He ended up allowing a run on three hits in a 3-1 win.
ERIC LAUER
BR-49 KENT STATE: Lauer tossed the 11th no-hitter in program history in a 14-0 win over BR-267 Bowling Green. He struck out 13 batters on the way to the no-no.
COLIN POCHE
BR-27 DALLAS BAPTIST: Poche struck out 14 batters on his way to a 9-5 win over BR-67 Missouri State. Poche is the first pitcher in program history dating back to 2004 to have an 8-0 record on the mound.
KYLE WRIGHT
BR-6 VANDERBILT: Wright kept one of the best teams in the land in check last week, picking up a three-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over BR-2 Florida. He struck out 10 batters. [divider]
MITCHELL WHITE
BR-128 SANTA CLARA: White tossed a complete game victory and had a career-high 15 strikeouts in a 9-1 win over BR-198 Portland.
Who was the D1 Baseball Pitching HERO of the Week?
