MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris baseball tandem of Alex Baumann and Jacob Schaaf was recognized once again on Wednesday, this time by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

Following a week in which Baumann was named UMAC Player of the Week and Schaaf earned UMAC Pitcher of the Week honors, the duo were each recognized for their play at the national level. Baumann was named the NCBWA Hitter of the Week and Schaaf was named the NCBWA Rookie of the Week.

Minnesota Morris was forced to play 10 games in a span of six days to finish the regular season this past week. Having won two in a row going into the week, the Cougars ran their win streak to 11 before falling in their season finale on Sunday evening.

Baumann was the offensive catalyst behind that success, batting .537 (22-of-41) for the week with six doubles, a triple, and two home runs, driving in 19 runs. He was also walked five times and hit twice, compiling a .569 on-base percentage. Once on base, Baumann was 6-for-6 in stolen bases and ended up scoring 23 runs. 

Schaaf went 2-0 on the hill for the week, capping a tremendous finish to the season that saw the freshman end the year with a 5-0 record. In starts against North Central University and the University of Wisconsin-Superior, Schaaf pitched 15.0 innings and allowed only nine hits while striking out 11 and compiling a 0.60 ERA. Opposing hitters managed just a .167 average against him for the week.

The NCBWA has recognized Division III Hitters and Pitchers of the Week since 2003 and Rookies of the Week since 2018. Minnesota Morris becomes only the third program to have multiple winners of an award in the same week, joining Mitchell College and Saint John Fisher College from the 2021 campaign.

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.