Alabama's Emeel Salem Named National Hitter of the Week
5/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
DALLAS, Texas - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA)
released the Pro-Line Cap National Player of the Week awards for the
period ending April 30, today. Alabama junior outfielder Emeel Salem was named National Hitter of the Week, while LeMoyne junior right-hand pitcher Bobby Blevins was 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.
Salem, a native of Mountain Brook, Ala., had a phenomenal week at the
plate in leading the Crimson Tide to a 3-1 record in four games and its
sixth SEC series win this year. In four games, he batted .765
(13-for-17) with 12 runs scored, 12 extra base hits, three stolen bases
and two RBI. He compiled a whopping 1.294 slugging percentage (22 total
bases) last week and an .818 on-base mark (reached base 18 time in 22
plate appearances). He scored the winning run in all three Crimson Tide
wins against UAB and Auburn (2 times). In the series win over arch-rival Auburn, Salem batted .727 (8-for-11) with eight runs scored, eight extra base hits, two stolen bases and one RBI.
Blevins set and then re-set the program strikeout record with 32 K's in
a pair of two-hit shutouts. Currently 7-2 with a 2.17 ERA, the
Briarcliff, N.Y., native struck out 14 in a two-hitter against Saint
Peter's (12-0) on Monday, and fanned 18 in a two-hit shutout over
Canisius (6-0) on Saturday. Blevins walked just one batter in each win.
With this week's honor, Blevins automatically is named to the watch list for Roger Clemens Award, given to the national collegiate pitcher of the year, sponsored by the Greater Houston Baseball Organization.
The Fort Worth-based Pro-Line Cap Co. supplies the official cap to more
than 100 Division I college teams. This is the first season Pro-Line has
sponsored the NCBWA's Players of the Week. The sponsorship provides for
plaques to be awarded to each of the weekly winners and other
promotional consideration. For more information about Pro-Line, visit
their Web site at www.prolinecap.com.
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 Assistant Executive Director Mike
Montoro (601-266-5947), michael.montoro@usm.edu).
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
Pro-Line Cap Co., Hitter of the Week - Feb. 14 - Aaron Luna, Rice; Feb.
21 - Chris Swauger, The Citadel; Feb. 28 - Kyle Russell, Texas; March 7
- Luke Hopkins, New Mexico State; March 14 - Chris Gradoville,
Creighton; March 21 - Kellen Kulbacki, James Madison; March 28 - Trey
McDaniel, Western Carolina; April 4 - Andy D'Alessio, Clemson; April 11
- Reid Fronk, North Carolina; April 18 - Pedro Alvarez, Vanderbilt;
April 25 - Case Cassedy, Furman; May 2 - Emeel Salem, Alabama
Pro-Line Cap Co., Pitcher of the Week - Feb. 14 - Nick Schmidt,
Arkansas; Feb. 21 - Barry Enright, Pepperdine and Brad Furnish, TCU;
Feb. 28 - Rodney Brantley, Dallas Baptist; March 7 - Joba Chamberlain,
Nebraska; March 14 - David Price, Vanderbilt; March 21 - Daniel Best,
Southern Miss and Miles Morgan, Texas Tech; March 28 - Christian
Friedrich, Eastern Kentucky; April 4 - Tim Linecum, Washington; April 11 - Adam Ottavino, Northeastern; April 18 - Mike Ballard; April 25 - Brooks Brown, Georgia; May 2 - Bobby Blevins, LeMoyne
Transactions - NCBWA named Alabama junior OF Emeel Salem and LeMoyne
junior RHP Bobby Blevins Pro-Line Cap National Players of the Week.
