College Player, Pitcher of the Week

Vincent Cervino

Craig Cozart

Photo: Nick Kurtz (Wake Forest Athletics)

February 21

Perfect Game/Rawlings Player of the Week:

Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest

As a pre-season Perfect Game All-American and one of our staff’s picks to win this year’s Golden Spikes Award; Nick Kurtz had plenty of anticipation surrounding him on Opening Weekend. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound lefty more than lived up to the billing as he slashed .500/.684/1.500, launching 4 home runs, driving in 10 runs and his 7 walks are more than twice his strikeout total already. By the way, with his length and glove work, he is one of the best defenders in the nation as well. Kurtz and company went 4-0 on the weekend, as they scored 45 runs, hit 13 home runs, and only committed 1 error on defense.

Perfect Game/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week:

Paul Skenes, LSU

Talk about pressure and expectations, Paul Skenes had it coming from every possible angle this weekend. Being the most high-profile transfer in the nation, the Opening Day starter for the No. 1 team in the land and taking the mound in front of over 10,000 fans and countless MLB representatives in the stands, that can be daunting. All the 6-foot-6, 245-pound right did was go 6.0 IP, allowing 3 hits, no runs, 1 free pass while striking out an incredible 12 batters on 98 pitches. By the way, his first pitch of the game was a fastball at 99 mph and his last of the day was a heater at 98 mph. That is surely living up to the hype.

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