Player of the Week nominations are submitted by High School coaches across North Carolina each week.  Along with the nominations, Prep Baseball Report is diving into box scores, talking to coaches and scouts, and attending as many games as possible.

The week of March 12 – 18 saw teams across the state battle some rain throughout, creating some scheduling changes.  Several conferences across the state began their conference season as well.  The  PBR/NCBCA Team Polls is updated again next week, but several players worked to put their teams in position to move up in the poll.

For the week of March 12 - 18, West Columbus HS Junior LHP Cole Benton takes home the award for PBR Player of the Week.  Benton had a night to remember on Tuesday throwing a no-hitter and hitting 2 home runs.  On the mound he faced two over the minimum, striking out 10 hitters.  At the plate, Benton collected 3 hits and 5 RBI.  The 2^nd HR came in the 5^th inning to push the score to 10-0 and end the game via the 10 run rule.  Benton would follow up the outing with another solid performance and hit .667 for the week.

PBR PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cole Benton, LHP, West Columbus High School, 2019
+ Game to remember on Tuesday throwing a no-hitter and hitting 2 HR
+ 5IP, 0H, 0R, 10K
+ Only faced 17 hitters, 2 over the minimum, strking out 10
+ 3-3 with 2 HR, including a walk-off to set the 10 run rule in the 5^th. 
+ For the week, hit .667, 2HR, 1BB, 5 RBI, and 4 Runs Scored

HONORABLE MENTION

Three Hillier, C, Asheville, 2020
+ Swung the bat exceptionally well throughout the week, with a level of barrel awareness
+ Hit .667, going 4-6 with 3 HR. 
+Also collected 5 RBI and scored 4 Runs in 2 games

Jake Babcock, RHP, Bishop McGuinness, 2018
+ CG shutout in conference vs. rival South Stokes
+ Collected the Win woring 7IP, 2H, 0R, 6K
+Also went 3-5 with an RBI and Run scored in 2 games

Philip Abner, LHP, Covenant Day School, 2021
+ Win on the road at Wake Christian
+ 6IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 13K, 3BB

Hayden Brooks, OF, Elkin HS, 2018
+ Big at the plate in 2 conference wins
+ Hit .556 going 5-9 with 2B, 3B, 2 RBI and 4 Runs

Jose Vargas, SS, Hickory Ridge High, 2019
+ Hit .546 in 3 games, going 6-11
+ 4 Runs Scored and 3 RBI
+ Error free play at Shortstop over the 3 games

Drew Harris, RHP, Independence High School, 2019
+ Collected 2 saves in two key wins over Olympic HS and Butler HS
+ 2IP, 2H, 3K, 1.00 WHIP

Brennen Herbert, LHP, Jack Britt High School, 2018
+ App State commit came up big in two key conference games
+ Hit .500, going 3-6 with a double and a SAC Fly
+ 3-6 with a Run Scored
+ CG Shutout on the mound – 7IP, 4H, 0R, 15K, 0BB

Justin Wilcoxen, 3B, Millbrook, 2019
+ In 3 Games, hit .750 going 6-8 with 6 RBI, 1 Run, 4 SAC
+ Solid defense at 3B all week

Garrett Clapsaddle, C, Murphy High School, 2021
+ FR Starting catcher got his 1^st Start in the lineup
+ Went 4-4 and hit for the cycle with 6 RBI

Joey Curry, RHP, Murphy High School, 2018
+ Perfect on the mound and a good week at the plate
+ 5IP, 0H, 0R, 12K, 0BB
+ Hit .556, going 5-9 with HR and 3 RBI

Jordan Archie, C, North Mecklenburg, 2018
+ Aggressive at the plate, leading the Vikings
+ Hit .429 on the week with 2 doubles and 10 runs socred

Renato Gonzalez, 1B, Pamlico County, 2019
+ Solid week in the start of conference season
+ Hit .800 on the week going 4-5 with 2 HR, 1 BB and 6 RBI

Timmy Townsend, RHP, Providence HS, 2018
+ Another great performance in a battle for 1^st in the Conference
+ Earned a No-Decision in a 1-0 win over Olympic
+ 7.2 IP, 2H, 0R, 10K

Trent Harris, SS/C/RHP, Pro5 Academy, 2018
+Hit .462, going 6-13 with 2 RBI
+Closed 2 games on the mound, 2 saves, 2IP, 0R, 4K

Derek Astoske, RHP, South Brunswick, 2019
+ Solid outing in a tough luck loss to to Ashley HS
+ 5IP, 3H, 1ER, 10K

Zach Kelly, RHP, South Brunswick, 2018
+ Big week on the mound and at the plate
+ Threw a CG 1-hitter over 6 innings, striking out 9
+ Hit .600 for the week

Scout Cox, OF, West Forsyth, 2019
+ Another great week on the field for Scout
+ Hit .750 and slugged 1.250%
+ 6-8, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs, 1 Stolen Base