NCBWA Tabs Apicella Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week

PEMBROKE, N.C. – A day after being named the South Atlantic Conference pitcher of the week, senior starting pitcher Vince Apicella (Dillsburg, Pa.) was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week Wednesday morning.

Apicella is the second Eagle to earn the honor over the past two seasons joining reliever Carson Bryant who took home the plaudit on April 7, 2015.

With a game-time temperature of 25 degrees, the left-hander worked eight innings in an extra-inning 1-0 win over the Cavaliers tossing his sixth career complete game. Apicella notched 10 strikeouts, his eighth game in double figures over the last two years, while yielding just three hits and three walks in the game. Only two runners advanced into scoring position in the game against the hurler.

"All week I prepared throwing short boxes just working on my command and control," Apicella said. "I was hitting my spots constantly and I think it really carried over into my start. My off-speed was working pretty well, curveball was keeping them off balance and fastball with it being cold was detrimental to them as well."

In 40 extra-inning games under Carson-Newman coach Tom Griffin since 2006, Apicella is the lone flamethrower to pitch a complete game in contests that extend beyond regulation.

The honor marks the lefty's first Regional Player of the Week award of his career.