Bryan Blanton Earns NCBWA Region Pitcher of the Week Honors

PEMBROKE, N.C. – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has released its final weekly NCAA Division II Southeast Region Players of the Week awards for the 2015 season ending on May 3. Freshman Bryan Blanton of Catawba earned the Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week plaudit.

Bryan Blanton (Catawba/Albemarle, N.C.) Blanton earned a win and a save for Catawba in two appearances against USC Aiken.  On Friday, Blanton threw two scoreless frames as Catawba won 3-2 in 12 innings.  He fanned five in the outing with a walk and two hits allowed.  He earned the final out with the bases loaded.  On Saturday, Blanton entered with a runner on and Catawba leading 8-6 with no outs in the ninth.  The freshman would retire Aiken's 3-4-5 hitters in order to notch his first save.  Blanton threw three innings on the week and did not allow a run with six strikeouts.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.

South Atlantic Conference Southeast Region Players of the Week
April 7 - Will Albertson, Catawba (Hitter)
March 18 - Will Albertson, Catawba (Hitter)

South Atlantic Conference Southeast Region Players of the Week
May 5 - Bryan Blanton, Catawba (Pitcher)
April 28 - Thomas Spitz, Wingate (Hitter)
April 7 - Will Albertson, Catawba (Hitter) & Carson Bryant, Carson-Newman (Pitcher)
Mar. 24: Will Albertson, Catawba (Hitter)
Mar. 17: Will Albertson, Catawba (Hitter)
Mar. 10: Blake Houston, Catawba (Hitter)
Feb. 24: Bradley Brown, Wingate/Albert Baur, Newberry (Co-Hitters)