University of Rochester first-year pitcher Nolan Sparks on the Yellowjackets baseball team was awarded more praise for his performance in his collegiate debut on the mound last week against SUNY Cortland. Sparks was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) Division III Baseball Rookie of the Week (for the week ending March 21, 2021). Sparks was also recognized with Liberty League Pitcher of the Week honors earlier this week.
Sparks excelled against the Red Dragons in an 8-0 victory for Rochester last Wednesday. He tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out eight batters. He only needed 92 pitches to get through seven innings of work, helping lift the Yellowjackets to a sweep in the doubleheader. The wins were the first for the Yellowjackets against Cortland since 2009.
Other honorees from the NCBWA this week included Dane Pedersen of Louisiana College (Hitter of the Week) and Thomas Gallant of the University of Mount Union (Pitcher of the Week).
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