NM State's Gonzales Named NCBWA Player of the Month
NM State's Gonzales Named NCBWA Player of the Month
Courtesy National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
SAN ANTONIO – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has tabbed New Mexico State slugger Nick Gonzales as National Player of the Month and Miami's Brian Van Belle it's National Pitcher of the Month for February, it was announced on Friday afternoon.
A native of Vail, Ariz., Gonzales had a monster month at the plate for New Mexico State. He hit .478 (22-for-46) in 12 games, slugging a NCAA-leading 12 homers, with 36 RBI, 24 runs scored and a 1.995 OPS (on-base + slugging percentage). Gonzales, who has moved to shortstop as a junior, belted five homers with 10 RBI on Feb. 29 and hit for the cycle on Feb. 23. He has reached base safely in 79 straight games and has heled the Aggies to a 12-1 record.
This isn't the first time Gonzales earned NCBWA National Player of the Month honors as he earned recognition for the month of February 2019 as well.
Van Belle, a redshirt senior out of Pembroke Pines, Fla., had a dominating three-start month in February. Van Belle went 2-0 without allowing an earned run in the month. He tossed 20 innings, allowing only 11 hits and one unearned run, walking two and fanning 33. Miami (Fla.) is off to an 8-4 record to open 2020.
This marks the fifth consecutive year that the NCBWA has honored a player and pitcher of the month. Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, www.ncbwa.com.
2020 WINNERS:
Player of the Month – February – Nick Gonzales, Jr., SS New Mexico State.
Pitcher of the Month – February – Brian Van Belle, R-Sr., RHP Miami (Fla.)