North Coast Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week | May 6, 2025
 
Baseball Player of the Week – Xander Rodriguez, Wittenberg
Wittenberg sophomore Xander Rodriguez (Salinas, Puerto Rico/Franklin County) had an outstanding week at the plate, going 11-for-16 (.688) over four games. Rodriguez tallied six RBI, five runs scored, two extra-base hits, and his first stolen base of the season as the Tigers went 3-1 with wins over Oberlin (14-6, 14-4) and Muskingum (5-2). His week included a 5-for-6 performance with a double, three RBI, and three runs in the opener against Oberlin. He followed that with three more hits and two runs in game two, then added a triple and two RBI against Muskingum. In a 7-0 loss to Denison, Rodriguez was one of just two Wittenberg players to record a hit and the only one to draw a walk.

Baseball Pitcher of the Week – Frank Lynch, Kenyon
Kenyon senior Frank Lynch (Chicago, IL/Notre Dame College Prep) closed out the regular season and his collegiate career with a dominant performance in a 5-0 victory over Wooster. The right-hander worked five scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and two walks while striking out four to collect his fourth win of the season.
 
Softball Player of the Week – Avery Panozzo, Ohio Wesleyan
Ohio Wesleyan senior Avery Panozzo (Denver, CO/Mullen) had a strong week, helping the Battling Bishops to a 2-2 record. In the 5-2 loss to Marietta, she provided a key offensive spark with a two-run home run, marking Ohio Wesleyan's first home run of the season. In the 8-0 win over Marietta, Panozzo crushed two doubles, including a two-run double in the fourth inning that helped extend the Bishops’ lead. Against Wittenberg, the catcher sparked a comeback with a leadoff triple in the fifth inning, helping the Battling Bishops rally from a 10-3 deficit. In the 3-1 win over the Tigers, she added another hit and an RBI to cap her week. Overall, Panozzo posted a .923 slugging percentage with two doubles, a triple, and a home run while leading the Bishops with six RBI on the week.
 
Softball Pitcher of the Week – Brooke Surbaugh, Denison
Denison junior Brooke Surbaugh (San Bruno, CA/St. Ignatius) delivered a clutch performance in the circle, earning the win in game one of a must-win doubleheader at DePauw to help the Big Red secure a share of the 2025 NCAC title. Surbaugh tossed six shutout innings, scattering five hits and one walk while striking out three in the 3-0 victory.
 
NCAC Milestones & Records (April 28 – May 4)
 
Hiram, Baseball – Senior Hal Walker Jr. (Mentor, OH/Mentor) set a new program record with 64 hits this season, breaking Mike Dobran's previous record of 63 hits from 1998. Walker Jr. also holds the career record with 199 hits, while graduate student Chaisson Marrs (Springfield, OH/Kenton Ridge) ranks second with 189 career hits.
 
Ohio Wesleyan, Men’s Lacrosse – Junior midfielder Noah Citek (Long Beach, CA/St. John Bosco) won six face-offs in the Battling Bishops' 11-10 victory over Oberlin on Wednesday. His performance pushed his career total to 588, setting a new program record and surpassing the previous mark of 586 set by Sam Gioseffi from 2012-15.
 
Wooster, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field – Senior Daysia Hargrave (Orrville, OH/Orrville) capped her career as a three-time NCAC champion in the 100-meter hurdles, winning the event each year she competed. She becomes just the third athlete in conference history to win the event three consecutive times, joining Lisa Encarnacion (Case Western Reserve, 1990–92) and Melanie Cluss (Denison, 2001–04).