March 22, 2023
Waxahachie, TX - The NAIA Baseball Players of the Week for March 13–19 were announced by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Players of the week are evaluated on their performance during the week prior to the announcement. Each player is selected out of a pool of conference and Continental Athletic Conference (Independents) award winners. Michael Watson, a junior pitcher for the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions baseball team, has been named the nation's pitcher of the week.
Other Nominees:
Daniel Willie, Montreat (N.C.); Ben Harris, Georgia Gwinnett; Darien Smith, Southeastern (Fla.); Nathan Monceaux, Loyola (La.); Austin Dill, Evangel (Mo.); Blake Maddock, McPherson (Kan.); Noah Willingham, Williams Baptist (Ark.); Joshua Mendez, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas); Michael Watson, SAGU; Blake Crippen, Bellevue (Neb.); Tyler Hickman, Tougaloo (Miss.); Kyler Beekman, Doane (Neb.); Bryce Bridge, Corban (Ore.); Cohen Achen, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Graham Kollen, Huntington (Ind.); Phillip Hobbs, Indiana Tech; Connor Martin, Hope International (Calif.); Aiden Vestbie, Embry-Riddle (Ariz.); Jake Ostrowski, Trinity Christian (Ill.); Mason Whiteley, IU Kokomo (Ind.)
In the SAGU Lions' victory over Central Christian College, junior Michael Watson from Glen Rose, Texas, tossed the first no-hitter of his career and set a new season best with 15 strikeouts.
In his nine starts on the mound during the 2023 season, left-handed pitcher Michael Watson has averaged 8 1/2 strikeouts. One of the cornerstones of the SAGU defense is Watson's deadly fastball.
"I am really appreciative of my teammates, coaches, and everyone else who helped make this possible. This is a tremendous honor, and I'm grateful for these moments, and I'm enjoying myself a lot," said Michael Watson.
"Michael has worked and developed himself into one of the top starting pitchers in the NAIA. His success has not been a surprise to anyone that's watched him over the last two seasons. While we are proud of him sweeping both NAIABall and NAIA national pitcher of the week awards, we believe that the best is yet to come for him and for our program," said SAGU head baseball coach Matt Cornachione.
As a leading Christian university, SAGU educates and prepares individuals who want to serve Christ and others. SAGU helps students discover and develop their God-given callings in a Spirit-empowered, learning community. We believe in affordable tuition, made possible in part through the financial support of donors who embrace the mission of SAGU and the importance of affordable, accredited programs to train Christians for leadership in ministry, business, education, and service. Most majors are available in-person in Waxahachie, TX, and online through a wide range of associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
