LAKELAND, Fla. — The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) announced its eighth NCAA Division II Players of the Week awards for 2025 season for performances between March 17-23. The Gulf South Conference swept the awards as Mississippi College’s Bryce LaRocca was named NCBWA South Region Player of the Week, while Delta State's Drake Fontenot was named NCBWA South Region Pitcher of the Week.
OFFICIAL RELEASE
LaRocca slugged 1.400 and drove in 11 runs to Mississippi College to an unblemished 4-0 week. The senior outfielder hit a collective .533 (8-for-15) with four home runs, a double, scored seven runs, and drew three walks while also posting a .611 on-base percentage. In a three-game series with Trevecca, he was a combined 7-for-11 (.636) at the plate, opening the series with a 3-for-4 performance that included seven-RBI and two homers. In the Saturday twin bill, he went 2-for-4 in game one, scoring twice with one RBI, while going 2-for-3 in the finale with three-RBI and two more home runs. This is LaRocca’s first regional award in 2025.
Fontenot improved to 7-0 on the year after tossing a complete game four-hit shutout at West Alabama on Friday evening. In his longest outing of the year, the senior righty went the full nine innings, struck out five, and surrendered four hits, with only two runners reaching second and none advancing past. Fontenot also logged a .129 opponent batting average while facing 32 batters. He lowered his season ERA to 0.64, which began the week as third-best among Division II leaders. This is Fontenot’s second regional award this season (Week 6).
This is the first during the 2025 that GSC representative took home both regional accolades in the same week. LaRocca is the second GSC Player of the Week this season to also claim South Region recognition, following AUM's Riley Orr (Week 5). Fontenot meanwhile picked up the fifth regional weekly pitching award for the conference this season and is the South Region's only winner.
LaRocca and Fontenot move on to the NCBWA National Player of the Week ballot to be announced on Thursday, March 27.
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 Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.
2025 NCBWA DII South Region Weekly Honorees
Week 1: Justin Wachs (Nova Southeastern) – Player / Drake LaRoche (Valdosta State) – Pitcher*
Week 2: Jordan Williams (Tampa) – Player / Adiel Melendez (Montevallo) – Pitcher
Week 3: Ahmad Fitts (Florida Southern) – Player* / Dane Hall (Palm Beach Atlantic) – Pitcher
Week 4: Max Kops (Embry-Riddle) – Player / Jacob Pino (Florida Tech) – Pitcher
Week 5: Riley Orr (AUM) – Player / CJ Williams (Tampa) – Pitcher
Week 6: Cole Fowler (Lynn) – Player / Drake Fontenot (Delta State) - Pitcher
Week 7: Max Kops (Embry-Riddle) – Player / Holland Townes (Mississippi College) – Pitcher
Week 8: Bryce LaRocca (Mississippi College) – Player / Drake Fontenot (Delta State) – Pitcher
* NCBWA National Weekly Awardee