The Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Baseball Players of the Week were announced, by the NWAC, for March 10th through the 16th. NWAC Players of the Week Brayden Walls and Henry Henkel dominated the diamond with exceptional performances this week. Walls, a sophomore left-hander for Columbia Basin Hawks, threw a complete game shutout against previously undefeated Lower Columbia. Henkel, a sophomore catcher for Wenatchee Valley Knights, posted an astounding .900 batting average (9-for-10) during a four-game sweep of Shoreline. Both standout sophomores currently remain uncommitted.
NWAC Hitter of the Week
C Henry Henkel, Wenatchee Valley
Sophomore catcher
Henry Henkel dominated during Wenatchee Valley College Knights’ four-game sweep of Shoreline, posting a .900 batting average (9-for-10) with 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run. The uncommitted player from Tahoma High School drove in 7 RBI, scored 4 runs, drew 3 walks, was hit by 2 pitches, and stole 2 bases. Henkel reached base safely in 14 of 15 plate appearances across the series, highlighted by his game one performance where he went 4-for-4 with a triple, home run, 4 RBI, 3 runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base.
NWAC Pitcher of the Week
LHP Brayden Walls, Columbia Basin
Sophomore left-handed pitcher
Brayden Walls delivered a complete game shutout for Columbia Basin Hawks against previously undefeated Lower Columbia, handing the Red Devils their first loss of the season. The uncommitted Timberline High School (Boise, ID) product limited opponents to just 2 hits while walking 4 and striking out 6 batters. Walls has compiled a 3-1 record over 4 starts (5 total appearances) with a save this season, maintaining a 2.01 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 18 strikeouts across 22.1 innings pitched.
Both Players of the Week remain uncommitted. This presents outstanding opportunities for four-year programs looking to bolster their rosters. The NWAC has long served as a developmental pathway for talented baseball players. Many NWAC athletes move on to NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA programs after successful junior college careers.
