NCBWA 2026 Season News

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the week ending February 15, 2026. Angelo State senior second baseman Austin Beck is the National Hitter of the Week and Emporia State sophomore hurler Colby Deaver is the National Pitcher of the Week.

Johnson County sits atop the NCBWA Division baseball poll this after starting the season with an 11-1 record. The Cavaliers have seven straight games and become the third different team to hold down the top spot in the Division I rankings this season.

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. 15. Baylor senior first baseman Tyce Armstrong and Kansas State’s junior shortstop Dee Kennedy were named National Co-Hitters of the Week, while Lamar senior right-handed pitcher Chris Olivier was named National Pitcher of the Week.

LSU holds down the top spot for the second week in succession after the defending NCAA champion swept Milwaukee to open the campaign. Texas jumped from No. 3 to No. 2 after starting 3-0 while the Nos. 3-5 entries are UCLA, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State.

Howard Borden, who began attending the NCAA World Series as a youngster in 1956 in Omaha, is the recipient of the 51st annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Russell D. Anderson/Wilbur Snypp Award for national contributions to college baseball.

A total of 105 players has been named to the initial 2026 Watch List for the 21st Annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball, the association announced Tuesday. The institution or conference sports information directors submitted nominees.

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 29th year with its 2026 preseason and weekly surveys, and LSU is No. 1 for the fourth time in history after winning the 2025 NCAA championship.

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its NCAA Division II National Players of the Week awards for the week ending February 1. Fort Hays State senior first baseman Derek Woolwine is the National Hitter of the Week and USC Aiken freshman right-hander Ben Shepherd is the National Pitcher of the Week.