WOOSTER, Ohio -- For the first time in nearly 20 years, Worcester State University baseball was represented on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) weekly awards. 

Lancer junior Ben Smith (Bourne, Mass.) was named Pitcher of the Week on Wednesday, with this week's honorees chosen based on games April 11-17. 

Smith threw 17 scoreless innings over the course of two Massachusetts State Athletic Conference series. He threw a complete-game seven-inning shutout against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Monday, earning the victory after striking out eight and giving up just four hits. He then went 10 innings of scoreless baseball against Westfield State University (Massachusetts) in a game that the Lancers went on to win 3-2 in 12 innings. In Friday's win, Smith struck out eight and allowed just five hits in his 10 scoreless frames. 

The junior hurler already received MASCAC Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance, the second time this year he has been recognized by the conference. 

Smith is the first Worcester State player to earn recognition form the NCBWA since 2003, when pitcher A.J. Hatton earned Pitcher of the Week honors. 

ABOUT THE NCBWA

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters, and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates, and official votes in the Dick Howser Player of the Year Award, Regional Player of the Year, and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication contests, and writing contests. 

2022 WINNERS

• Month of February: Jack Thomson, Lewis & Clark (Hitter); Sayers Collins, East Texas Baptist (Pitcher); Andrew Gryniewicz, Lesley (Rookie)

• Week ending March 6: Blake Bean, Kalamazoo (Hitter), Dominic Perachi, Salve Regina (Pitcher), Aiden Murphy, Wilkes (Rookie)

• Week ending March 13: Joe Jimenez, Texas Lutheran (Hitter); Mick Schiattarella, Stockton (Pitcher); Anthony Runfola, Haverford (Rookie)

• Week ending March 20: Mike Khoury, Brandeis (Hitter), Kieren Collins, Johns Hopkins (Pitcher); Joe Morrissey, Washington College (Rookie)

• Week ending March 27: Kamden Earley, Wabash (Hitter); Dalton Glenn, Buena Vista (Pitcher); Tyler Herrera, Centenary (La.) (Rookie)

• Week ending April 3: Luke Broadhurst, Eastern Connecticut State, (Hitter); Ismael Tatis, John Jay (Pitcher); Samuel Palmer (Westfield State)

• Week ending April 10: Andrew Bradley, Earlham (Hitter); Owen Boerema, Northwestern (Minn.) (Pitcher); Nick Choate, Anna Maria (Rookie)

• Week ending April 17: Seth Betts, Crown (Hitter); Ben Smith, Worcester State (Pitcher); Jace Fetterman, Lebanon Valley (Rookie)

Release courtesy of Worcester State Sports Information