BISMARCK, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The North Star Athletic Association announced its eighth baseball weekly honors edition Monday.  Corey Jackson of Bellevue (Neb.) was selected as the Pitcher-of-the-Week. Dustin Mertz of Valley City State (N.D.) was  named as the Player-of-the-Week.

North Star Athletic Association Baseball Player-of-the-Week
Dustin Mertz – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’1″ – Freshman – catcher/utility – West Fargo, N.D. – Mertz smashed a home run in five of Valley City State’s (N.D.) six games as they went 4-2 record for the week.  He posted a batting average of .579 by going 11-of-19 at the plate. He registered an on-base percentage of .692 and a 1.474 slugging percentage. For the week, Mertz scored 13 runs, drove in 11 runs, reached on base by a walk six times, and hit two doubles. He also swiped two bases.

North Star Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher-of-the-Week
Corey Jackson – Bellevue (Neb.) – 5’10” – Senior – pitcher – Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Jackson struck out a total of 18 batters, setting a school record for a seven-inning game victory as Bellevue (Neb.) went 5-0 record for the week.  He tossed a complete game 3-0 victory at Viterbo (Wis.), limiting the V-Hawks to four hits.  It was Jackson’s third complete game shutout of the year and recorded at least 10 strikeouts for the third straight game.  He posted an earned run average (ERA) with 62 strikeouts in his last 38 innings for work (14.7 strikeouts per 9 innings).

(vcsuvikings.com)  For the fourth time this season, Valley City State University has swept the NSAA Softball Player of the Week awards. Senior Emily Smith has been named NSAA Pitcher of the Week, and junior Riley Perryman is the NSAA Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

North Star Athletic Association Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week
Emily Smith – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’7″ – Senior – pitcher – Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada – Smith picked up three wins on the week, allowing just four runs on 10 hits in 21 2/3 innings of work as Valley City State (N.D.) went 4-1 record. She tallied a total of 38 strikeouts, recording at least 11 strikeouts three times in four games. Smith held her opponents’ batting average to .133. It is the fourth time this season she has earned the weekly honor.

North Star Athletic Association Softball Player-of-the-Week
Riley Perryman – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’7″ – Junior – outfielder – Cottage Grove, Minn. – Perryman hit three home runs and had three multi-hit games as Valley City State (N.D.) went 4-1 record for the week. She totaled eight RBIs and scored seven runs during VCSU’s 3-1 record weekend at Dickinson State (N.D.). Perryman was 9-of-18 at the plate and recorded a slugging percentage of 1.056 (three home runs, one double). She reached on base by a walk twice.