Herron, Minjarez, Earn Regional, National Honors
The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk baseball team earned top honors in the NJCAA
last week, sweeping the Division II Region II Pitcher and Player of the Week honors
while also picking up the NJCAA National Player of the Week award.
In NPC’s first-ever regular season game, freshman pitcher Matthew Herron (Mountain
Pine) fired seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, while allowing just two
hits, defeating Arkansas Baptist College to notch his first win of the season. The
effort not only earned the right-hander NJCAA Division II Region II Pitcher of the
Week honors, but also the National Player of the Week award.
“I’m really proud of Matthew and his ability to garner the attention of not only
coaches and players from around our state and region, but also national attention
as well,” NPC athletic director Jason Hudnell said. “This honor speaks highly of the
work ethic he brought to us in the fall. From the weight room to his velocity training
with our coaching staff, being rewarded with this honor is phenomenal for our program.
We’re excited to not only be recognized locally, but also nationally to assist with
recruiting to National Park College.”
For the week of Feb. 3-9, freshman third baseman Jesus Minjarez (Hot Springs Lakeside)
took home NJCAA Division II Region II Player of the Week honors. In the four-game
series against the Buffaloes, Minjarez batted .500 with two home runs and four RBI.
“The regional honors [for Herron and Minjarez] are really special for us on a couple
of fronts,” Hudnell said. “It’s not only great recognition for our program in a difficult
region, but these are also two Garland County kids. That excites me as an athletic
director that we can build not only an athletic program, but a quality program with
kids from right here in Garland County.”
Nighthawks baseball plays host to Crowley’s Ridge College Tuesday, Feb. 18 for a
double header beginning at 12 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks Baseball and Nighthawks Softball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media. Fans can
also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
