Conference Carolinas

DALLAS - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) announced on Wednesday night that UNC Pembroke right-handed pitcher Branden Kunz is the NCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Week.

The Conference Carolinas and NCBWA Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week, Kunz was dominant in his outing in No. 13 UNC Pembroke’s league sweep of No. 14 Belmont Abbey. A redshirt senior right-handed pitcher from Wake Forest, North Carolina, Kunz struck out 14 and allowed just two hits in UNC Pembroke’s 12-0 win in seven innings of work against Belmont Abbey. He did not walk anyone in the complete-game victory and he retired the side in order in three different frames. Both hits he allowed were singles.

This is the second straight week a Conference Carolinas baseball student-athlete has earned national honors as Kunz’s teammate Christina Jayne was Hitter of the Week last week.

Nate Mieszkowski of Missouri Southern was named National Hitter of the Week.

Division II Regional Players of the Week:

Atlantic: Ryan Callahan, California (Pa.) (Hitter); JT Weaver, Shippensburg (Pitcher)

Central: Nate Mieszkowski, Missouri Southern (Hitter); John Gray, Arkansas Tech (Pitcher)

East: Braden Kolmansberger, Goldey-Beacom (Hitter); Charlie Cucchiara, Molloy (Pitcher)

Midwest: Drew Donaldson, Indianapolis (Hitter); Connor McKenna, Illinois Springfield (Pitcher)

South: Henry Daniels, West Georgia (Hitter); Drew Dwyer, Lynn (Pitcher)

South Central: Cam Yuran, MSU Denver (Hitter); Kobe Jaramillo, Texas A&M-Kingsville (Pitcher)

Southeast: Seaver King, Wingate (Hitter); Branden Kunz, UNC Pembroke (Pitcher)

West: Anthony Accordino, Cal State Dominguez Hills (Hitter); Nico Martinez, Cal State Dominguez Hills (Pitcher)

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. 

2023 NCBWA Division II Players of the Week:

Feb. 8: Casey O’Laughlin, Azusa Pacific (Hitter, West); Brayden Johnson, Arkansas Fort Smith (Pitcher, South Central)

Feb. 15: Christian Jayne, UNC Pembroke (Hitter, Southeast); Braxton Pearson, Angelo State (Pitcher, South Central)

Feb. 22: Nate Mieszkowski, Missouri Southern (Hitter, Central); Branden Kunz, UNC Pembroke (Pitcher, Southeast)