MORGANTOWN, W.Va - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released its National Player of the Week awards for the period ending February 21, Tuesday. Vanderbilt sophomore outfielder Jeren Kendall was named National Hitter of the Week, while North Dakota junior left-handed pitcher Zach Muckenhirn named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.

Kendall started 2016 with a bang on Friday vs. San Diego, belting two home runs as part of a career-high, four-hit game, while driving in a career-best five runs. The Holmen, Wisconsin, native drove in three more runs on Saturday, going 3-for-5, including a clutch two-run, two-out single in the Commodores' seven-run sixth inning. Kendall capped his massive weekend with three more hits on Sunday, adding an opposite field home run off the scoreboard as part of a three RBI, three-run game. He finished the opening week batting .667 (10-for-15) with a double, three home runs, 10 RBI and seven runs scored.

Muckenhirn stymied the No. 12-ranked Southern California Trojans Friday, throwing a three-hit shutout in a 1-0 opening day win. It marked his second career shutout as he punched out a career best nine batters and walked just one in the school's first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent. Muckenhirn needed just 103 pitches to blank the top offense in the Pac-12 from a season ago. He set down the final 15 batters in order as North Dakota turned heads nationally with a series win over the Trojans, also winning Saturday, 5-4. The Delano, Minnesota, native mixed all four of his pitches for strikes en route to his ninth career win.



The southpaw was also named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week and was mentioned among national players of the week by Collegiate Baseball News.



Muckenhirn and the Fighting Hawks (2-1) head to Alabama to tangle withe Crimson Tide for a three-game set beginning Friday.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, www.ncbwa.com. For more information, contact NCBWA Executive Assistant Director Mike Montoro (304-293-2821, mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu).

2016 WINNERS :

Hitter of the Week – Feb. 23 – Jeren Kendall, Jr., OF, Vanderbilt.

Pitcher of the Week – Feb. 23 – Zach Muckenhirn, Jr., LHP, North Dakota

(portions courtesy NCWBA)