SALISBURY, N.C. –The Francis Marion duo of outfielder Charlie Bussey III and left-handed pitcher Aydin Palmer were named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Southeast Region Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for Week Seven, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.

Bussey III, a redshirt junior from Graniteville, S.C., posted a .455 batting average with two home runs, two doubles, four runs batted in, six runs scored, and five stolen bases, as the Patriots played four nationally-ranked games last week. He reached base 12 times after going 5-for-11 at the plate and drawing seven walks.

On Tuesday, Bussey III reached base in all five plate appearances after going 2-for-2 with a solo homer, a double, three runs scored, and three walks against second-ranked Catawba.
In the three games series against ninth-ranked Young Harris, he finished 3-for-9 with one homer three runs batted in, three runs scored, four stolen bases, and four walks. Bussey III hit a go-ahead two-run home run in game three in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the series.

Palmer, a junior from Effingham, S.C., improved to 5-1 on the mound following an impressive eight-inning performance in a series clinching 3-1 win over ninth-ranked Young Harris on Saturday afternoon in game three. He yielded just one earned run on four hits with eight strikeouts and one walk issued. He retired the side in order four times and forced two double plays while facing 26 batters.

Bussey III and Palmer will advance to NCBWA National Player and Pitcher of the Week consideration, which is released on Thursday.

2026 NCBWA Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 3 - Ben Shepherd, USC Aiken
Feb. 10 - Evan Koehler, Georgia Southwestern State
Feb. 17 - Chad Harvey, Wingate
Feb. 24 - Kaleb Owens, Anderson
Mar. 3  - Keaton Prior, Georgia College
Mar. 10 - Evan Koehler, Georgia Southwestern State
Mar. 17 - Aydin Palmer, Francis Marion

2026 NCBWA Southeast Region Player of the Week
Feb. 3 - CJ Dean, North Greenville
Feb. 10 - Braeden Harrison, Anderson
Feb. 17 - George Gilson, Flagler
Feb. 24 - Seth Christmas, Lenoir-Rhyne
Mar. 3 - Brandon Crabtree, Catawba
Mar. 10 - Brody Yeomans, North Georgia
Mar. 17 - Charlie Bussey III, Francis Marion