UCLA's Gasparino Named NCBWA National Hitter of the Week

Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released its Dick Howser Trophy National Player of the Week awards presented by The Game Headwear for the period ending Feb. 22.

UCLA junior outfielder Will Gasparino was named National Hitter of the Week, while Arkansas junior left-handed pitcher Colin Fisher and Oregon State sophomore right-handed pitcher Dax Whitney were named National Co-Pitchers of the Week. The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.

Gasparino enjoyed one of the most complete and explosive weeks in the young Division I season, going 7-for-13 with five home runs, 13 RBIs, 23 total bases, seven runs scored, four walks and two hit-by-pitches while anchoring the Bruins' sweep of No. 7 TCU.

The Los Angeles, California, native delivered a multi-homer performance in the 13-5 midweek win over Tulane on Tuesday and came up with another two-homer day in the 15-5 win over TCU to clinch the sweep in the series finale. Gasparino totaled a slugging percentage of 1.769 and an on-base percentage of .684 to lead the UCLA offense. He was also flawless defensively, converting all seven of his chances in the outfield.