The Northwest Conference (NWC) players of the week in baseball have been announced, highlighting two standout performers during the week of March 18th through March 24th.
Pitcher of the Week – Matthew Sherwood, Pacific Lutheran
Matthew Sherwood from Pacific Lutheran University earned the Pitcher of the Week honor with a remarkable performance that caught the attention of baseball fans across the conference. In a notable upset, Sherwood played a crucial role in Pacific Lutheran’s 3-1 victory over a Division I Washington team. His two-inning relief appearance was nothing short of impressive, allowing just two hits and securing a save against the Huskies.
This win was particularly significant. It marked the first time a Division III team defeated a power conference program in baseball since 2022. Sherwood, a sophomore from Santa Clarita, California, continued his strong week with additional work on the mound against Pacific this past weekend. Overall, he finished 6.2 innings pitched and four strikeouts. Sherwood and the rest of the Pacific Lutheran University Lute showcased the depth of talent in Division III baseball on the big stage. Check out the highlights on YouTube.
Hitter of the Week – Caleb Gray, Whitworth
On the offensive side, Caleb Gray from Whitworth University claimed the Player of the Week title with a standout series against George Fox. The junior infielder from Spokane Valley, Washington, delivered a performance that any baseball player would be proud of. Gray’s bat was on fire, recording an incredible .667 batting average by going 8 for 12 at the plate.
His weekend included two home runs and a significant boost to his season statistics. Gray drove in five runs and crossed home plate six times, helping Whitworth secure a series win. His batting average jumped 52 points during the series, rising from .386 to .438. On the season, Gray is now slashing .438/.512/.890 with 3 doubles, 10 home runs, and 29 RBI for the 14-7 Pirates. Check out a highlight of Gray’s 10th home run of the season (X/Twitter).
Picture above from nwcsports.com |
Check out last week’s POTW
